Holiday Stress Release

No, it's not Yoga, but it will clear your mind of all your worries.

David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas and The Bone Clocks, has a new one called Slade House. It's a little one that will cause you to read furiously. Each chapter has a different narrator, although that's not uncommon, it it is fun. The first one is autistic, which really gives a unique aspect to the action. The character Nathan says "Mum says I have to learn how to Blend In more, but there aren't any classes for Blending In." Mitchell speaks from experience here as his son is autistic. Nathan looks into the houses as he walks by and sees Godzilla pick up a train on a TV. He says, "makes no sense because amphibians don't have thumbs." I love characters with real vision. Each chapter will draw you in a little more and leave you dying to solve the mystery. Yes, it isn't very holiday themed but then you might just have enough of that going on at your home already. And yes, there is a problem with soul sucking. But with all the awful things in reality, isn't it nice to read something that can't happen? And at least most of us can be assured we can keep our souls. The character development is great, as are the settings and details, although they do keep shifting. Keep this in mind for your holiday gifts as well, it's a little yellow book with a cutout on the cover. A great stocking gift for readers in your family. Also, you can have it read in a weekend and then share with your friends. NYTimes review.

Have you felt guilty about reading?

Ok, not because you should be fixing some fabulous meal or that you should pay more attention to your fascinating spouse, but because you feel guilty not finishing a book? I don't like to give up. I always think it's me. But The Witch of Lime Street by David Jaher challenged my determination. Don't worry, I did finish, but boy it took me way too long. It is not because it isn't a really good read, it is just that in parts the details about all the people involved in the investigation distracted me from the main conflict. That of Mina Crandon, medium, and Harry Houdini. This is about a time period in the United States, after WWI, that people so longed to speak to their dead sons, brothers and fathers that Spiritualism took hold. Mina, a well respected upper crust young woman began to hear from her dead brother.

Things soon got out of hand. She was pretty but it's amazing what a little ectoplasm can do.

I found her character and motivations fascinating. The Scientific American was out to prove life after death. They set up a contest and started exposing a lot of frauds. Houdini was on the committee. Because of his acumen with magic tricks, he was especially qualified to spot a sham. It really is a fascinating story, especially when you realize that they thought psychic power was scientific. It makes sense, really, radio waves brought voices into their homes and they couldn't see them either. NPR liked this book and their review is excellent. Be patient with this one, it really is worth it and remember, don't feel guilty.