The Eyre Affair: Jasper Fforde

This twisting tale of literary wit is a fun read from author Jasper Fforde. Admittedly confusing at times (but probably mostly due to the speed at which I read), "The Eyre Affair" takes place in a VERY alternate London in 1985, where Time Travel is common place and the line between reality and fiction is becoming increasingly blurred. This is the first fantasy novel I've ever read that is completely entrenched in fantasy, and yet the characters have a world very much like ours (cars, money, etc). Even Charles de Lint doesn't come close, as his fantasy lives more in shadow.

This novel stars Thursday Next who becomes involved in hunting down the maniacal genious Archeron Hades who has strange, inexplicable powers (even in this world) and has stolen an original copy of a Dickens novel with the threat of changing the original forever (as once you change the original book all other copies change along with it). When Thursday thwarts his plans, he goes for an even bigger target- Jane Eyre, one of Thursday's favorites. Meanwhile, Thursday takes a job in her home town, deals with the kidnapping of her aunt and uncle, her rogue time traveling father and seeing her lost love again.

"The Eyre Affair" is a great read and I look forward to reading the sequels.

A Cool Moonlight: Angela Johnson

Eight-year-old Lila was born with xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare disorder that causes a severe reaction to the sun that means she must stay out of the sun at all costs. "A Cool Moonlight" is told by Lila herself in a childlike way- lack of capitilization and a unique look in on her world. Lila has few friends, and mainly depends on her older sister Monk to take her out and about town, but Lila also has secret friends, Alyssa and Elizabeth, who no one but her ever sees. As she matures over the course of the novel, much importance is placed on her ninth birthday- the day that she, Alyssa and Elizabeth have plotted will be the day she steps out into the sun, with the help of the items they've been collecting for her "sun bag". Lila wonders why no one ever sees her friends and if the bag's items can really help her as she anxiously awaits her birthday.

The ending is magical, if not a little confusing, and will leave you smiling. I definitely recommend it as a great read. I've labeled it Fantasy, though it really falls somewhere inbetween real and magical realism.