NYM Book Review

I've gobbled up a few books lately, some tastier than others. As everyone is a critic, I give you a second installment of the NYM Book Review:

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
I had extremely high hopes for this book. How could I not? The Wall Street Journal review included "Monty Python, Harry Potter, Stephen Hawking and Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Nothing could live up to that, so shame on WSJ for overselling and putting the bar way, way too high. Shame! That said, it was a fun read, though not quite what I was hoping for. I'll probably read another Thursday Next book and I couldn't read this one fast enough. I bought it Saturday afternoon and finished the 374er tonight (Monday), with oodles of football-watching in between. You can't really go wrong with a New York Times bestseller.

The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw
Perhaps this has been previously addressed, but NYM loves a good "young adult" novel. The Moorchild certainly is no Harry Potter (will the world ever meet such a phenom again?) but it landed a Newberry Honor and certainly deserved it. It is the story of a changeling who doesn't fit in and how she eventually confronts her past and future. One of the reviews says it is a great read-out-loud book and I can definitely see that. It's a good story and will speak to anyone (which is everyone) who ever felt like they didn't belong.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx is Burning: 1977, Baseball, Politics, and the Battle for the Soul of a City by Jonathan Mahler
Thank you, thank you, thank you Dan for this recommendation! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone. It has delicious vignettes, scrumptious profiles and succulent factoids. Read it; you'll like it!

The Nanny Diaries by Emma Mclaughlin and Nicola Kraus
V. popular novel-cum-box-office-bust. It was an easy read, entertaining while infuriating. Sometimes you just want to take characters by the shoulders and shake them really, really hard. Sure, the X's deserve a thrashing, but Nan really needs some sense let loose in her head.

The Godmother by Carrie Adams
If you liked For Better or Worse by Carole Matthews or later-day Nick Hornby, you'll probably enjoy The Godmother. Our herione is godmother to many, mother to none. We follow her circle of friends (and their families) through some noteworthy times. It's a poor, poor woman's Bridget Jones, but still an interesting (if predictable) read with more of life's down-and-dirtiness than Bridg ever saw.

OK, until next time, reading is fundamental!