DON’T MISS THIS BOOK!!
Good morning, Book Journey friends!
I am honored to be your substitute host today while Sheila is spreading her joy across the globe. I had the pleasure of meeting Sheila in May 2010 at the Book Expo America in New York. She is just as lovely in person as I hoped she would be, and we hit it off right away!! I’m not only a friend and fellow book blogger, I’m also a loyal reader of Book Journey, so I figured I could stop by and we could keep one another company in Sheila’s absence.
Photographic proof! This is from BEA 2010. With all the time we spent together this past May, I don’t have a photo of the two of us…Sheila? Do you have one??
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m the Alison from Alison’s Book Marks. I have a little book blog on the other side of the Internets where I chat about an eclectic mix of books. Any book that is being read in my house is discussed on my blog – right now, The Man is working on KILLING LINCOLN; the 6 year old is tackling his first “real book”, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID; the 9 year old, is reading HOLES by Louis Sachar; and I am currently reading HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET. I am blessed with a reading family!!
There is one book I read this year that I can’t stop talking about with my book friends – THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern (Doubleday; Hardcover; 400 pgs.; September 13, 2011: 978-0385534635).
I would send you over to read my review of the book, but I think Sheila’s review was much better. Not only do I feel this is the best book I have read all year, but it has also earned a place on my Book Shelf of Fame, where I place my all-time favorites like THE BOOK THIEF, EAST OF EDEN, THE HELP, SARAH’S KEY, and HARRY POTTER.
I went into this book knowing very little. In fact, I didn’t even read the blurb on the back cover. All I was told was that there was magic and mystery, all wrapped up in a cast of characters one will not soon forget. It did not take me long to get sucked into the mystery of the Circus, which is a character in and of itself.
I read quite a bit, as you might imagine, and always looking forward to the next great book, but this is one of the few books that I can’t wait to read again and again. The next time I experience this book will probably be listening to the audio, by Jim Dale (of Harry Potter audio fame!) There are all these wonderful little details that I can’t wait to experience all over again. There was a reason for everything – the color of a dress, the shape of a tree, the taste of a dessert. This book was an all-sensory experience!
THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern is a special book. I hope you read it this winter, and be sure to come back and chat with us when you do!
*Note from Sheila: Alison ROCKS! She is a lot of fun and I enjoy her blog and her friendship. Her review of Night Circus is awesome and it is linked here so check it out… and Alison, you asked if I had a picture of us from BEA 2011…. I do:
Book Journey 
Ohhh that book is waiting for me to download from the library as we speak…I cannot wait to get started…just need to get thru my current book!! I know I am going to LOVE The Night Circus!!! Thanks Alison!!
Kyrstyn, prepare to get swept away into another world! Come back and let us know what you think when you’re finished! I hope you love it!!
I second that Krystyn, I hope you really enjoy it.
Thank you both…I can’t get thru my current book fast enough…hopefully I’ll be able to start TNC on Sunday!!
The Night Circus has been on my TBR list for a while now and after what you said about it, it’s definitely being bumped up to next in line! 🙂
Thank you! Happy Reading!!
I listened to it on audio but still would like to sit down with the book and give it a second go – much like I do with all the Harry Potter books 😀
I’ve been wanting to read The Night Circus since the first time I laid eyes on it. I’m trying to read books out of my usual genre, and boy, this book surely is. With all the rave reviews it’s a must read!
I think it’s worth the risk! Enjoy!
Vicki – I think it is always a good thing to stretch us out of our reading comfort zone.. you never know when a book will amaze you. 😀
I’ve been wanting to read this one, Alison. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your photos at BEA.
I hope you get to it Laurel…. if you like this I know you will LOVE Harry Potter 😉
I appreciate your coming by to say hello! Enjoy!
I think it’s fantastic that everyone in your family is a reader! I am blessed with readers too! I requested this title from my library…looking forward to reading it too!
Staci my youngest son and I are the readers of the family and I LOVE sharing great books with him. I wish my whole family read like Alison’s.
I am blessed, and not a day goes by where I am not thankful! It doesn’t hurt that I have some of the best book people in the industry sending me amazing children’s lit each week! (Right now, we’re all reading Brian Selznick’s books and having a great time!!)
Oh…. is that Wonderstruck???? I cant wait!
What a lovely post. Nice to meet you Alison, you are so lucky that all of your family are readers. At my place, the boys’ eyes glaze over when I mention books lol. Very disappointing as they used to be great readers as littlies.
Night Circus is on my wishlist, I’m off to check out your blog 🙂
Oh yay Sheree, I am so glad you are off to visit Alison – she s so awesome!
Thank you for stopping by!! It’s wonderful to meet you as well. I pray my little guys remain book lovers, and will savour these moments as long as I can! I’m hoping that as long as I keep it fun, and the industry keeps bringing us exciting kidlit, they will continue to love books. I can’t lie, it was a very proud moment when my son asked to start reading Harry Potter. *heart swells*
I like your phrase…”an all sensory experience”! It truly is! It simply flows from page one, mesmerizing the reader in its wondrous mystical world. I’ll definitely read this one again! (you may read my review on my blog).
HI Shirley – I need to read it now that I have listened to it 😉
Thank you, Shirley! I keep remembering the dessert at one of the dinners…they each cracked open their shells to find something unique. I felt like I was there! The writing just blew me away. I’m the opposite of Sheila – I need to LISTEN to it, now that I’ve read it!
I’m thrilled to read how much you both loved The Night Circus, Sheila and Alison. I’ve read some wonderful reviews of it so it’s now sitting on my nightstand! I cannot wait to start reading it, I just have to finish the 2 books I’m in the middle of reading! I love having a book I’m so excited to read waiting for me! Love your enthusiasm and excitement over THC, too!
Thank you!
I am very excited for the movie too!
Ah, the dilemma of every book lover – so many books, so little time! Happy Reading, Amy!