Bagels & Books: Thief of Time

I started the next Bagels & Books book, Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman. So far, so good. I started this book (i.e. read a few pages) a couple years ago, but I am on track to finish it this time. No, really!

It takes place in the southwest, which is a beautiful and culturally rich location. I have never been to Arizona or New Mexico, but reading about it makes me yearn a little for the dry desert air and the plume of red dust that billows behind cars on old dirt roads. (I might have idealized it just a little.) Thief of Time is a mystery cloaked in Anasazi culture and the allure of cliff-side dwellings. I have actually visited cliff-side dwellings in Manitou Springs, CO. They were legit Anasazi, too, so that draws me to the story even more. Dwellings are fascinating; it is mind-boggling to imagine their construction without modern tools or technology. But their construction is impeccable, and the spaces are beautifully sparse. I will upload some photos when I find them (they are on CD somewhere).

At any rate, one other book, also "set" in the southwest is among my favorites: Between a Rock and a Hard Place. This memoir chronicles Aron Ralston's survival after being trapped, incidentally, between a rock and a hard place (i.e. another rock). The memoir is a reminder of the harsh realities of adventure in such a barren environment, but it also reminds the reader and adventurer to maintain reverence for the place.

If you have not picked up a copy of Thief of Time, consider grabbing one. As always, see Mrs. Howell for more information. The next Bagels & Books meeting is February 24, so you have plenty of time to read this casual, fun story.

Take care, bundle up, and happy reading!

-- Fo

The Twilight Series

I am exceedingly happy my sister, my good friend, and a gaggle of my students "forced" me to read all four books in the Twilight series. I can say that I do not regret it.

Breaking Dawn was pretty fantastic. It is a long book-- over seven hundred pages!-- but the pace is quick, and it read faster than I expected. I found myself trying to imagine the scenes described so well by Stephenie Meyer, trying to imagine how these scenes would manifest in the movie version of the series' finale (which I am told is not necessarily going to happen!). Of all the books, this one was, I think, the most imaginative and, thus, interesting.

However, I still prefer New Moon. There is something real about the series' second installment that I connect to more emotionally, and an emotionally powerful story always makes a bigger impact on me than one that is action-packed or fantastic.

All that said, the Twilight series is one not only to enjoy, but also one to re-read and re-imagine. I just hope they decide to butcher the series and squeeze into two hours of movie-watching.

Below is my preference of the novels. I have yet to meet anyone who can agree on the order of greatness. Post a comment with your own order. Let's see if we can reach a consensus (or just have a light-hearted debate).

1. New Moon
2. Breaking Dawn
3. Eclipse
4. Twilight

Happy reading!