A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah E. Harding

What fun I had reading this first novel by history professor Deborah Harding.  I heard her speak at a recent conference and thought this book with be a fun lark, and it is!  It reminded me a bit of Outlander and Twilight and Harry Potter.  She commented that she was cognisant of her target market -- her students who grew up with Harry Potter.  Again, it was fun, and I'm looking forward to reading the next title that takes place in the 1500s. 

Summary

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together. Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.

Love and the Mess We're In, by Stephen Marche

On a brighter note, I'm thoroughly enjoying this book by Canadian author, Stephen Marche. Not only in the book physically beautiful, it reads like poetry and is unabashedly made for print.  The typography is varied and engaging.

Once again, it is incredibly sad.  So sad, I can only read it in snippets.  It's like a rich dessert -- too much and it makes one ache.

So I'm savouring it as I read and enjoying the experience.

I need a happy book, though.

Language of Flowers, by Venessa Diffenbaugh

This book has received a significant amount of publicity as a New York Times best seller, and more recently, a popular book club book.  Regardless of the high praise, it was the cover that caught my attention and compelled me to read it.  Correction -- I listened to it as a book on CD.  After the first chapter, I would have returned the book.  As I said on my earlier post, things are difficult right now, and I don't need to experience more pain and suffering through a book.  But, my drive compelled me to listen to more of the book, and it had its merits.  Then, as the action ebbed and flowed, I was tempted to add it to my "couldn't complete" status, but I had already committed too much to it.  This was a mistake and I eventually just skipped section in my self imposed censorship.  

Did I enjoy the book? No.  Did I find it compelling? No.  I think of other works that deal with difficult topics but this novel just seemed to lack all depth.  In the end, things were resolved and wrapped up, more or less.  I just felt so wanting in the end.  

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so on to another book and hopes for a better read tomorrow.

Here is the summary from the NY Times:
The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness