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.