In case you missed it, I love to read. I read a great variety of styles and genres, both fiction and non-fiction, and for the most part, reading is pure joy to me, but there is one thing which I hate.
Every now and then I stumble across a book of such delightfulness that I immediately go and look up the author to find out what else they’ve written. And, well, every now and then, I find that there IS nothing else. I have three or four books which I consider such gems that it seriously grieved me to find that they are ‘one book wonders’.
The first is Audrey Niffenegger’s ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’. What an amazing book this is! Isn’t it? I mean, wow! How do you describe it? It’s unique, it’s breathtaking, the prose is beautiful, and – without wishing to give anything away to those who haven’t read it yet, the end is just right.
The second is ‘Blood’ by Patricia Traxler. This book is dark. It’s edgy and twisted and weird and I adore it. It’s one of those books that made me sigh over it when it was done and agonise for the characters, and wonder why so-and-so did this, and what made what’s-her-name do that, and shake my head over the fact that they did and look where it got them.
Both of these books are one book wonders. And you know why? Because neither of these two authors normally write this way! Each of these two books represents their author’s sole venture into the world of the novel – and I want to write to them and beg them on my knees to get right back to the keyboard and damn well do it again, because they are that good. But Audrey Niffeneger writes graphic novels for preference, and Patricia Traxler is a poet.
Next on my list would be ‘Samantha Smythe’s Modern Family Journal’ by Lucy Cavendish. I so thoroughly enjoyed this book that I’m still melting over baby Jamie’s ‘Erg blerp ga!’ – the single non-verbal sentence at this small person’s disposal, but one that can be uttered with various inflections to suit all occasions – and I know that sounds sickeningly cutesie but it just isn’t.
This is a story about family and stress and the little things that alternately annoy and enchant in ordinary daily family life, and how good intentions can have unexpected results. Did I say I loved this book? Well, I did. And so I went to look for more, and, yep, you guessed it, there aren’t any more! Lucy Cavendish seems to have specialised in books about white magic and paganism, and this was her debut novel. The good news is that there is a sequel in the pipeline. The bad news is that it looks as if I’ll have to wait until next year to read it.
Lastly, I’m going to include ‘Good Omens’ in this list, because although Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman have each written many more books, they have never again collaborated, and for me, the mix of those two minds is absolutely perfect. We have the wit, intelligence and effortless comedy of Pratchett teamed with the twisted imagination and more satirical style of Gaiman, and it just works. I love Pratchett, all on his own, whether in the Discworld novels or the kids books, or the spin-offs and in-betweens, but Gaiman gives him bite.
As far as I know there is no plan for Pratchett and Gaiman to write together ever again, which is a great source of sadness to me. However there have been vague rumours about Terry Gilliam making a movie of Good Omens, and they’ve been circulating since 1999. First they tell us it’s on, then it’s maybe not, then it’s definitely off, then they say maybe it isn’t entirely off, they’re still working on it. That’s the story of Gilliam’s life, it seems, but I for one hope that he does one day get the funding because the last I heard, he was planning to ask Johnny Depp to take one of the leading roles.
So, this being the archetypal story of the struggle between good and evil, would Johnny be the angel or the demon? You know what? I don’t care, he’d be perfect for either of them.
And if you think that’s contradictory, you don’t know Depp.
The Time Traveler’s Wife is the only one I’ve heard of in this post.
This seems to be my day for running across lists of books.
well you sold me on purchasing ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’.
xxoo
Thanks for the hook up
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..Unanswered Prayers
Sounds interesting … and I’ve been looking for something to read.
DrowseyMonkeys last blog post..Never Say You’re Sorry
I love how you worked him into this post ha ha well said all of it .. sandy
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I’ve given you an award on my site :O)
Babs – beetles last blog post..Look what I got!
I’m going to check those books out. I too love to read and will read anything that crosses my path.
Bees last blog post..What came first? The chicken or the chick who likes to eat them?
No sure if they are my kinda books, but I am always willing to try something new … out of interest, have you read The curious incident with the dog in the night ????
Ruth and Meleah – The Time Traveler’s Wife is well worth a try. Everyone I know who’s read it, loves it. It’s much talked about, and for good reason!
Drowsey and Bee – Those are four very different books, so one may be of interest to you! There’s something off the beaten track and thought-provoking, something very dark and weird, some very funny black humour, and something warm and feel-good. You should enjoy one of them at least!
Sandy – Would you expect anything less? LOL! I actually gave him a copy of Good Omens one time when I met him. He said ‘Oh, Terry Pratchett! I love Terry Pratchett!’ He’d probably already read it, but it was fun to do.
Babs – Oooh! An award for me? *Runs over to Babs’ place*
Moon – Blood and Samantha Smythe are probably chick’s books, but the other two definitely aren’t. Other Half has read both the others and loved both. Time Traveler’s Wife is unique in my experience in that it’s divided into the viewpoints of the time traveller and his wife, and Niffenegger writes the first person male viewpoint extremely well. So says OH.
Oh, and Moon – I’ve picked up and started the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night but couldn’t get into it. However, with so many people recommending it, I’m going to have to give it another try. At least I know there are several others in the series, huh?
To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee is another one. I wanted to read her entire work but she conveniently wrote one classic and decided to retire. lol
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Scratch – Ah, yes!! I’d forgotten that one, and that is indeed a classic. I love it, too. There’s also ‘Gone With The Wind’ by Margaret Mitchell – definitely in the same ‘one book wonder’ category, but I’m afraid I’m not very fond of that one. Too long-winded for my taste.
I am just about finished Time Traveller’s Wife… I am reading it slowly, relishing every word, wanting to make it last before the end. I am so sad to hear she doesn’t have more; I did not know that.
And yes, Depp would be fantastic (well, is there any doubt?)
I heard recently he is being considered for The Riddler in the next Batman movie. NOw THAT would be cool….
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Maureen – Ah, such a treat, that book! Sorry to bring you the bad news.
Yes, I heard that about Depp/The Riddler, too. I may just have to watch a Batman movie!! LOL!
Interesting– I always love knowing what other folks are reading and will have to look into these– with of course the understanding that there is only one each, per author, of that quality.
Jenns last blog post..The Astounding Summer Adventures of Jenn-in-the Box
Nice call… Good Omens is superb. I’d put it right next to Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently on the bookshelf
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I think Mark Haddam has only written one other, and I thought that was brilliant to.. I will go get one of your recomendations
Completely agree about Time Traveller’s Wife so have made a note of other books you love to try for myself and recommend to my daughter.
I am rereading good omens right now! and it is great!
love your bookmark too!;)
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Jenn – Yes, that’s the downside, for sure.
Somnambulist – Ah, yes, Dirk Gently! I love those books!
Moon – Well, at least there’s two – and maybe the promise of more!
Anne – Hi! I don’t know how old your daughter is, but unless she’s adult you might want to read Blood yourself first. The others are probably about the same level as Time Traveller’s Wife, but I feel Blood has some very adult parts to it. Well, I’ve already said it’s dark, haven’t I?
I loved Time Traveller’s wife too Jay. and Good Omens is an all time favourite. Pratchett and Gaiman make such a delicious combo. (as to the Deppster – I want him to play both angels – that would make me do snoopy dances.)
I still haven’t read Blood. – yes you did loan it to me – I read the first chapter and thought ‘this is one i must read alone’; no other books at the same time as is my usual MO. I may start it next week now.
Others mentioned have been added to my list. thanks
Hi – me again – daughter (dare I say it) is almost 39 and has a daughter of her own, but thanks for the thought. A couple of other books I would recommend are ‘Small Island’ and ‘A Brief History of the Dead’.
PS. understand your feelings about Johnny Depp – he is beginning to be one of my favourites and saw him in Sweeney Todd earlier this year. Not a film I want to see again but he was brilliant. My all-time favourite will always be Steve McQueen.
A
Jeni – I was going to ask you if you’d read it yet! I think you’ll like it.
Anne – Thirty-nine! I guess she’d be considered adult enough then. LOL!
Ah, Steve McQueen. Another very sexy man, for sure. Me, I could watch Sweeney Todd over and over again, but .. well … each to her own.
Hey, Dawn – I didn’t see you there! Yes, it’s a very nice bookmark, isn’t it? I treasure it!
I LOVED The Time Traveler’s Wife. One of my three favorite that I read last year. Time travel for me is almost a fetish, and I think that was my favorite book on the subject I’d read.
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Writer Dad – Hi there! I’m glad to hear that you loved it too. I really do think that’s one that manages to speak equally to both men and women. No mean feat.
I do the same thing, when I find one author I like, I search for everything they have written. My reading has slowed down a lot since blogging, I read all the time, but not as much, but I’m working that back in…need to relax. Enjoy the books.
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I find reading goes in cycles, Valerie. Sometimes I read much more than others – there have been years when I’ve not read much at all, but now I read four or five books at once. I go through phases of liking different genres too! It is relaxing though – you got that right!