I Capture the Castle

Who knew?—Dodie Smith, the author of #99 on my list also wrote The Hundred and One Dalmatians.


I think I've seen the movie (of Castle, that is) but I'm not sure. All I know is that this book has been making the rounds in my friends' YA reading lists and adult book clubs. So it's time for me to see what the buzz is about.


Upon the novel's reissue, the LA Times had this to say:
"It is an occasion worth celebrating when a sparkling novel, a work of wit, irony and feeling, is brought back into print after an absence of many years. So uncork the champagne for I Capture the Castle."


Santé. Cheers. Here we go. 

Loose Ends: The Book Thief

I finished The Book Thief last night, stayed up far too late to make it to the end.

It was a beautiful story. An original story, full of unique characters that the author made me love, even though I knew I shouldn't get too attached. After all, they lived in a cruel time and Death himself had warned me to be wary.

I can't decide how I feel about Death's role as narrator. At times, it gave the reader a glimpse of the devastation of the fighting and the camps, but at other times, it felt a bit like a gimmick. I wonder if anyone else had the same impression.

Anyway, on to lighter fare. I begin I Capture the Castle tonight. My library copy is a first edition, and smells like it's been sitting on a shelf for the last sixty years. So my Friday night will be spent curled up on the couch, with a good, if musty, book in hand. More later...

The Book Thief

"Its just a small story really, about, among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery..."


Yes, my copy of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak has finally arrived. And no, I wouldn't call it a small story. 


But I think it's pretty telling that a book published in 2005 still has a steady holds list at the local library. Not to mention, it's a Prinz honor book and one of my good friend Meg's favorite books of all time. 


Anyone reading with me? I'll stop back by to let you know what I think...