Devil in the White City

Apologies for the size of the "Water for Elephants" picture. I tried!!

Another amazing book I read in the last couple of months was "Devil in the White City." I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction for some reason. Perhaps because I know the fate of the characters is either predetermined or bent to fit the historical facts. But "Devil" read more like a journalistic foray into the 1893 World's Fair. I wasn't a standout student in American history class, but I do think I picked up the basics. And I had no idea a) that we hosted a World's Fair, or b) how many, many parts of the American vernacular had their start at the 1893 Fair. Author Eric Larsen takes the reader on a journey through the planning and creation of the fair, from first meetings through the creation of a structure to top the Eiffel Tower.

Interwoven into the chapters of the creation of a fantasyland are chapters relating the story of a madman, one of the first known serial killers in the United States. Larsen has done extensive research on all of the characters in the book, and he states at the beginning that everything in quotation marks was actually written or said. It's still hard to believe that a person like the man described in the book actually existed.

The contrast of the two settings is thrilling, and knowing that this all took place in the blossoming city of Chicago is fascinating. A wonderful read, for mystery-lovers and history-lovers alike.

Water for Elephants

Hey everyone!
I've been a slacker for a while (and I still can't update what I'm reading in the sidebar. Any ideas?) I haven't read much lately, probably because when I have a good book in the house, things like dusting, cleaning, and bathing take a backseat. (Ok, if I must confess, dusting always takes a back seat. You're not allowed to look under the beds.)

But lately, I inhaled "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. Despite it arriving through Paperback Swap with mold damage (ew!) I had heard so many good things about it that I was excited to read it. And, thankfully, it was much more refreshing than popular books often are. I love Gruen's simple style. Each adjective seems chosen specifically, and her images are striking. It's been several weeks since I read the book, and the picture I have in my head is a fuzzy black-and-white photo with bright spots of red in the circus bigtop.

The story is told as a series of flashbacks from the protagonist, who is now a lonely old man in a nursing home. He remembers the circus from his youth, of running away after tragedy strikes and joining with the motley bunch of performers, workers, and animals. The characters are based in truth, and the author discusses her extensive research into the Depression-era circus. Fascinating--a world I never knew existed!

Willa Cather books

I'll be the first to admit that I'm still lacking in what some might call a standard background in literature--never had any required readings in high school and never had any required novel readings in college. Amazing, huh? Having said that, I'm am such a sucker for a rip-roaring female pioneer novel. I really got hooked on that genre after reading Letters From a Women Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt Stewart. Since I've had the opportunity this year to get my hands on books that are above 5th grade levels, I've been prowling around on the shelves to see what I've missed...and discovered that I've completely missed anything by Willa Cather, so I checked out both these books and raced through them last week. Loved them. Liked O, Pioneers a little better than My Antonia...but both leave me with wanting to read more of Cather's works.

Murder on Black Friday by P. B. Ryan

You know I hate to read a series out of order, but I accidentally did that today! lol All I saw were "new" and "series" and started reading. If you like fast reads, subtle humor and romance between a man and a woman with a mystery to solve, and some real historical facts thrown in the plot, then you'll love this series. Unfortunately, it's the only one I have in the series!

Set in Boston, Nell Sweeney is an Irish governess in the wealthy Hewitt family who, over the span of some time develops a friendship with one of the Hewitt sons. Most people assume they are unofficially engaged, but only Nell and Will know the real truth behind their pretense. Nell, being a devout Catholic, is already married to a convicted imprisoned felon and can never divorce....and so, Will keeps her secret and she keeps his--that the little girl to whom she is a governess is not really his adopted little sister, but his real little daughter. That's the background story for these two characters who find themselves solving murders.

I liked it so much that I've searched PaperBack Swap for the others, but could only find one. I need something light and fun after Edgar Sawtelle.

P.B. Ryan's Gilded Age Mystery series:

1. Still Life With Murder

2. Murder in a Mill Town

3. Death on Beacon Hill

4. Murder on Black Friday

5. Murder in the North End

6. A Bucket of Ashes

So...I'm starting another series this evening--The Gaslight Mystery series--by Victoria Thompson and this time I have the first 3 in the series. I think I picked all these books up at Half Price over the summer...and am just now getting around to reading them.

This series takes place in NYC with Sarah Brandt, a midwife estranged from her wealthy family, and Frank Malloy, a police detective, who find themselves working together to solve mysteries.