Filed under historical

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is the ‘cemetery of lost books’, a labyrinthine library of obscure and forgotten titles that have long gone out of print. To this library, a man brings his 10-year-old son Daniel one cold morning in 1945. Daniel is allowed to choose one book from the shelves and pulls out ‘La Sombra del Viento’ by Julian Carax.

But as he grows up, several people seem inordinately interested in his find. Then, one night, as he is wandering the old streets once more, Daniel is approached by a figure who reminds him of a character from La Sombra del Viento, a character who turns out to be the devil. This man is tracking down every last copy of Carax’s work in order to burn them. What begins as a case of literary curiosity turns into a race to find out the truth behind the life and death of Julian Carax and to save those he left behind. A page-turning exploration of obsession in literature and love, and the places that obsession can lead.

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Chime by Franny Billingsley

Chime by Franny Billingsley

Before Briony’s stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family’s hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it’s become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He’s as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she’s extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn’t know.

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Splendor

Splendor(Luxe #4)by Anna Godbersenperformed by Nina SiemaszkoPublished 2009 by Harper Audio8 hours, 53 minutes. Unabridged.Rating: 4/5 New beginnings. Shocking revelations. Unexpected endings. As spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father’s death comes to … Continue reading »

Envy

Envy(Luxe #3)by Anna Godbersenperformed by Nina SiemaszkoPublished 2009 by Harper AudioRating: 3/5 Jealous whispers.Old rivalries.New betrayals. Two months after Elizabeth Holland’s dramatic homecoming, Manhattan eagerly awaits her return to the pinnacle of society. When Elizabeth refuses to rejoin her sister Diana’s side, however, those watching New York’s favorite family begin to suspect that all is … Continue reading »

Rumors

Rumors(Luxe #2)by Anna Godbersenperformed by Nina SiemaszkoPublished 2008 by HarperAudio9 hours, 53 minutes. Unabridged.Rating: 3/5 After bidding good-bye to New York’s brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, rumors continue to fly about her untimely demise.All eyes are on those closest to the dearly departed: her mischievous sister, Diana, now the family’s only hope for redemption; New York’s … Continue reading »

The Luxe

The Luxeby Anna Godbersenperformed by Nina SiemaszkoPublished 2008 by HarperAudio9 hours, 34 minutes. Unabridged.Rating: 4/5 Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.This is Manhattan, 1899. Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan’s social scene. Or so it appears. When the … Continue reading »

Revolution

Revolutionby Jennifer Donnellyperformed Emily Janice Card & Emma BeringPublished 2010 by Listening Library15 hours, 1 minute. Unabridged.Rating: 5/5 BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief … Continue reading »

Fever 1793

Fever 1793by Laurie Halse Andersonperformed by Emily BerglPublished 2007 by Listening Library5 hours, 30 minutes. Unabridged.Rating: 4/5 During the summer of 1973, Mattie cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has … Continue reading »

A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty(Gemma Doyle #1)by Libba Brayperformed by Josephine BaileyPublished 2004 by Listening Library11 hours, 14 minutes. Unabridged.Rating: 3/5 A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy–jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel. … Continue reading »