“You think, as you walk away from Le Cirque des Rêves and into the creeping dawn, that you felt more awake within the confines of the circus.

You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream.”

I have here in my hand an ordinary top hat. You can see there is nothing inside. Now I wave my magic wand and say "Abracadabra"! And presto, I pull a rabbit out of my hat! (audience applauds).

That's what I think of as a basic magic trick. Some slight of hand, a little misdirection, and hopefully a well behaved bunny. When I was a kid my brother could do some pretty neat tricks, and I loved reading about Houdini, or watching David Copperfield or Doug Henning specials on TV.

Erin Morgenstern's debut novel The Night Circus has at it's core a rivalry between magicians. Bonded by embedded rings, Celia and Marco possess gifts that create wonder, beauty, and surreal realities. But both are manipulated by their guardians into a lifelong game that can have only one winner. Set in the time of Victorian London, they become an integral part of The Cirque des Rêves, or The Circus of Dreams. The language, imagery, invention and creativity allowed my mind to visualize what was being described - from the black and white of the tents, to delicate ice flowers, to falling through clouds - and encouraged imagination. I just fell into the world of the book.

It's called "Leigh's Looks at Books", but once and a while I just have to make an exception. And I'm going to make it for Mel Brooks.

I'm watching KET (yes, right now) Mel Brooks: Make a Noise, a fantastically funny and interesting documentary about his personal life, writing career, and his movies. How to decide on a favorite? All right, I just can't. Blazing Saddles, History of the World Part I, The Producers, Spaceballs - I've seen them all multiple times and they still make me laugh myself silly. And I own it, I love it, yes it's Young Frankenstein.

The 2013 Edgar Award winners have been announced! Named after suspense writer Edgar Allen Poe, this prestigious award is presented by the Mystery Writers of America, "the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre."

                                                 Best Novel                                                  

Prohibition, bootlegging, dirty money and crime

 

 

Best First Novel 

CIA, international spy thriller, deception, espionage, twists and turns

“The world was hers for the reading.”

Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Several years ago, I went to visit a friend who was living in Brooklyn, NY. While there we went and walked around the botanical gardens (which are beautiful!) and I purchased “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” shirt. I knew the title was from a well-known book, but at the time I had not read it.

This situation has been rectified and I now understand why it's such a widely read classic. Beginning in turn of the century Brooklyn, author Betty Smith introduces us to young Francie Nolan. She is a child who knows poverty, beauty, disappointment, a desire for knowledge, and like the tree she watches grow against all odds, a powerful inner strength. While growing up in difficult circumstances, Francie discovers the library, books and a love of reading - she knows she will never be lonely or stuck in one place as long as she can escape through stories. As she moves into her teen years, her thoughts and feelings become deeper and her dedication to truly experience life thrusts her forward, always educating herself, and realizing how much her Brooklyn roots are a part of her. This is a truly exquisite period piece that has held up beautifully to the test of time.