And since I spend so much time around books I feel it is my privilege, nay, my duty to recommend a truly wonderful novel to you.
Long have I been devouring all of the science fiction, fantasy, mystery, general fiction and yes even the occasional trashy smut filled romance novel. I have read my way from under-hill hobbits, to targaryen princesses, through fifty shades of disturbing, and around love triangle after love triangle filled teen novel. All of these books I have consumed, generally at a break neck pace in joy and in horror wondering what's to come at the turn of the page.
Rarely though, do I savor a book. I say, "just one more chapter before I turn out the light," "one more page before I go back to work". That is, until I picked up Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter.
Now, I will admit that it took me a couple of chapters to get into. So if you do not immediately fall in love please, don't disrepair! This book ran away with my heart. I found myself stopping at the end of a chapter and putting it down for a day or two. Just to prolong my reading of it.
What is so great about this novel you ask? Or maybe you don't really wonder or care. Regardless I'll tell you. Jess Walter expertly weaves together the lives of his characters showing the impact they have on each other. He weaves a beautifully worded tapestry showing how interconnected we all are and how powerful love and attraction can be. As well as some of the struggles in life we so often encounter. The book takes place both in our modern day world and in 1962 in a small coastal town in Italy near the oh so popular Cinque Terre coastline. And that is all I will tell you of it. Other than the fact that NPR described it as a "literary miracle" a sentiment that I wholeheartedly agree with.
If you do not already crave the kind of love that will make you cross oceans, you will after this poetic work of art. So go! Have an adventure, even if it's just between the pages of a book.
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