The Guardians of Childhood: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Nicholas St. North is the first novel by William Joyce. He incredibly weaves all the stories of childhood into one fabulous adventure filling in all the gaps in the mythology of fairy tales. Perfect and imaginative. I can't wait for the film!

Currently Reading: East of Eden

I'm beginning to clearly understand the genius of Steinbeck. He didn't just write about the plight of man during times of great distress, but he gave it great humanity and soul. Within pages, Steinbeck goes from simple grandfatherly storytelling to a plot that grips you to your gut. You hurt with the characters, you feel the physical and emotional pain of Adam. You cringe at the ignorance of Alice, and you see how cutting it is to the tender heart of her stepson. Cyrus is still a curious character to me at this point in the story. His actions are difficult to judge because his motives are unclear. I'm on to chapter Four to find out how a father deals with Charles, who has bludgeoned (with the intention of death) his brother Adam, because he feels as though his father has love for only one of his sons.

For now,
MH

Currently Reading: East of Eden

One of my current reads is East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I've been pleasantly surprised by this author. I had never read much of Steinbeck and from what I knew of his stories assumed him just as dry as the plains on which he set his novels. I must say, he took me by surprise with his subtle wit and snarky sarcasm. I'm only a few pages in, but already taken with the way that Steinbeck tells these stories in a long-ago type way. I can imagine a grandfather sitting in a rocking chair telling them to the young children at his feet. Steinbeck has a way with words. He's certainly not plain, and one could even argue that he carries his stories with as much eloquence as Tolstoy or Dickens....but what makes Steinbeck great in what I've read so far, is that he writes stories that are relatable and for the common man. I'm looking forward to see where this journey with Stienbeck leads.

For now,
MH