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Always, Always Reading Books, Recipes, and Life Kitschy Witch The Herb Gardener

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Lost Lake

This book opens suddenly with a couple on their honeymoon in Paris who come across a girl who in an attempt to kill herself, jumps off a bridge. Eby and George save Lisette and then the novel moves forward several decades. During that time, Eby and George have started a vacation resort in southern Georgia, George has passed away, and Lisette remains faithfully by Eby's side as the resort has become unpopular and in need of renovation and repair. Eby has decided to sell the resort. This will be her last summer - or will it? An interesting cast of characters may change her mind. There's her long lost great-niece, Kate, recently widowed and trying to find her way both figuratively and literally. Selma, with a long string of husbands and a curious set of charms. Also, an alligator who may have once been a boy. Once again, Sarah Addison Allen delivers delightful magical realism.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

The Museum of Extraordinary Things

In the Museum of Extraordinary Things, once again Alice Hoffman does an excellent job of blending fantasy and realistic fiction. Set in Coney Island, Coralie is forced to appear as a "mermaid" in her father's museum of extraordinary things. Her father is in desperate need of an exhibit to compete with Dreamland and Luna Park in Coney Island. Eddie Cohen is a photographer. Before he was a photographer, he worked with Abraham Hochman, the famous Jewish mystic, to help find people who were lost. Eddie and Coralie meet in a chance encounter in the woods. However, they are destined to meet again. After Eddie takes pictures of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, a gentleman hires him to find his missing daughter, Hannah. Could Hannah's disappearance have anything to do with Coralie's father's amazing new attraction for his museum? Read the Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman to find out.