Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Very much a fairy tale for adults, Neverwhere tells the story of Richard Mayhew, a London commuter who stops to help a young woman lying bleeding on the sidewalk one night, and finds himself in the alternate universe of London Underground. The parallels with Alice in Wonderland are fairly obvious - falling into an underground … Continue reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols

At last, we are in New Mexico! My home state is written about beautifully in this classic, The Milagro Beanfield War. Set in the mythical village of Milagro (there is actually a Milagro, NM, but the real town is nothing like the book's version), it's the story of Joe Mondragón and his fight for water … Continue reading The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols

Jane Eyre: An Autobiography by Charlotte Bronte

I ain't gonna deny it, Mr. Rochester is SEXY! Oh my lord almighty. Dark, mysterious, distant and yet romantic, rides a horse, is sarcastic, dresses in black. I could bang Mr. Rochester like a screen door from here til August......though it may also have to do with the fact that my very first big-screen Mr. … Continue reading Jane Eyre: An Autobiography by Charlotte Bronte

The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers

Sometimes a girl just needs an escape, and this book provided one hell of one! It's probably one of the most fun, and possibly my favorite, of all sci-fi and fantasy novels, The Anubis Gates is a wild and imaginative romp through time, space, and history. Basically, a literature professor by the name of Brendan … Continue reading The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers

Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses by Isabel Allende

This book was one of the most wonderful and sensual I've had the pleasure of reading in ages. Isabel Allende is a an amazingly erotic writer, bringing to life the twin joys of food and sex......something I've blogged about previously. If you truly think about it, these two activities are mirrors of each other in … Continue reading Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses by Isabel Allende

The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith

Special thanks to RP for the photography and kitchen assistance. Having minored in art history in college, I always fall in love with books that tell stories about painters and their inspiration for famous works. I previously blogged about Girl with a Pearl Earring, which tells the story of Vermeer's masterpiece. In The Last Painting … Continue reading The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith

The Mirror Thief by Martin Seay

Photography by me. Are you a Venetian at heart? I am, and any book set in Venice has a special place on my bookshelf. Venice is the most beautiful place on earth, because it shimmers. That's the only way I can describe it. The waters surrounding the islands, the lagoons with their sea-green waves, the … Continue reading The Mirror Thief by Martin Seay

Dune by Frank Herbert

Thanks to JP for the photography. I remember discovering the planet Arrakis when I was about 11 years old and nosily poking around my uncle Greg's apartment. He lived in a guest apartment behind my grandparent's house and had a taste for the music of The Police and sci-fi fiction, both of which he passed … Continue reading Dune by Frank Herbert

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Thanks to AL for the photography. Don't you love a story told from an unexpected viewpoint, or from a character who has traditionally been portrayed in a certain way? It gives a much-needed shift in perspective, I think. Seeing things in only one way is both boring and limiting. It's good to expand your worldview … Continue reading Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Grimm Tales by Phillip Pullman

Thanks to TB for the photography - and the duck tureen! I think I've mentioned this previously, but I'm a sucker for fairy tales. I still have the picture books from my childhood that transported me to magical kingdoms of princesses who dance their slippers to pieces every night, poisoned apples that send one to … Continue reading Grimm Tales by Phillip Pullman