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As the end of the year approaches, I’ve noticed many of us like to make lists of our favorites of the year. However, I never feel qualified to claim I have an opinion on “the best books of (insert year)”. Mostly, because I never have a chance to read most of the books that came out in any given year! (I seem to always be a year or so behind). Instead, I’ve decided to share six brilliant books that I personally read this year. The following six were knockouts!
And, with holiday gift-giving in full swing, these might inspire you to pick something a little different for someone you love. Or just treat yourself!
Six Brilliant Books I Read This Year:
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I was tempted to throw in the writing towel after reading this book – it was that good! On the surface it may seem like another story about an orphan girl, raised by magical creatures, in search of her past. Add a dash of adventure, a heaping spoonful of romance, and stir. But this book is so much more than that, and it proves that execution is vital to any novel! The writing is delicious, the world building astounding, the characters emotionally involving, and the plot well…I couldn’t put the book down!
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
If a book about carnivorous horses turns you off, this one isn’t for you. But if you’re spidy senses just did a double take (yes, I said carnivorous), then you’re in for a treat. A printz honor book, this novel has duly earned its shiny sticker. Told in dual point of view, the book follows a 16-year-old island girl who’s joining the scorpio races for the first time, and the 19 year-old boy who’s won them year after year. The novel is riveting, original, and absolutely engrossing. Did I mention they race on those carnivorous horses? Well they do!
My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavitt
Novels in verse are not everyone’s cup of tea, and the subject matter of this book may not be either – it’s about child prostitution. But this is the kind of book that will both break your heart and fill you with hope. Sixteen-year-old Angel gets dragged into the gritty reality of drugs and prostitution, only to find her “boyfriend” bringing home an even younger girl to learn the ropes. She risks her life to find a way for both of them to get out. This honest novel, told through lyrical poetry, is unforgettable.
Nothing by Janne Teller
The more philosophical reader is going to love this book! Written by Dutch author Janne Teller, the novel’s set in a contemporary European town where one boy’s existential revelation that nothing matters causes him to climb up a tree. That may not seem like a big deal – but as the rest of his classmates set out to prove him wrong, the search for meaning causes each of them to sacrifice something important, and well…things get a little out of hand. It’s a powerful book that will give you a lot to think about.
Harvey: How I Became Invisible by Herve Bouchard
This is a moody and beautiful graphic novel about a young boy coming to grips with the death of his father. Only this isn’t like any other grief novel you’ve read. This book comes entirely from a child’s perspective. The images are evocative, the structure and storytelling is out-of-the box, and the ending with haunt or infuriate you. This book won’t do any of the things you expect it to, and that’s one of its strengths. If you sit down and spend some time with it, it will unveil beautiful layers of emotion and truth.
Phineus Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleishman
I don’t read much non-fiction, because yes, I think it’s boring. Or maybe I’ve been reading the wrong books. Phineus Gage is anything but boring. It tells the true story of a railroad man who gets a 13 pound rod-iron shot through his brain and walks away! Yes, there’s a gaping hole in his head, and he survives! (The title said it was gruesome). But this book does a lot more than tell a sensational story. It explores the science behind what happened and why. It compares what they knew at the time of Phineus’s accident (in 1848) to what we know today. Unraveling like a mystery it makes reading about science absolutely compelling!
Happy reading everyone.
Am I the last person on the planet to learn about YourNextRead.com? I'm not? Good! After I finish a book, I mull around before I jump into my next book. I pick 2 or 3 books and read the first page or so. If I can't put it down, I keep reading. If I can put it down, I pick another book. I need a way to speed up the process! Normally, I would tell you to ask your librarian or your friend for a book suggestion. But, they aren't always around. So, try YourNextRead.com.
You don't have to sign up for an account, but you can. If you do, you can connect to your GoodReads account and all of your books magically appear!
Let me show you how it works.
Go to YourNextRead.com
Type in the title of the last book you read, or a book you really enjoyed. For this demonstration, I used
Dead End in Norvelt.
Click on the correct book and you will be given books that you should consider. How are these books connected? Take a look:
I would say that all of these books are (mostly) historical fiction. Interestingly enough, many of them were on lots of Newbery 2012 watchlists! Hmmm.... If you have read one of the books they suggest, you can give it a thumbs up or thumbs down, depending id you agree or disagree. You can also click on one of the suggested books to see what they might lead to.
I would totally suggest that you read any or all of the books suggested above!
Head over there and try it out! Let me know what you think!
Hopefully you’ve enjoyed your turkey comas and tended to your Black Friday bruises and are ready for the big buying marathon of the weeks to come! Since I will be making quite a few holiday suggestions in the bookstore this season I thought I might share a few of my favorites with all of you as well! So here are my 2011, ready to be wrapped, picture book suggestions:
I Want My Hat Back
by Jon Klassen
A hilarious yet simple book about a bear who can’t seem to find his hat. It packs a final punch unlike any picture book I’ve seen before, and adults will love this book as much as kids (possibly more)! It has lovely illustrations and is fun to read out loud.
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
A gorgeously illustrated book about the life and legacy of a grandfather as captured through the sculptures of his garden. A lovely book for grandparents to share with their grand-kids. This one will charm and tug on your heart strings at the same time.
Itsy Mitsy Runs Away by Elanna Allen
You will fall in love with the adorable illustrations and determined attitude of Itsy Mitsy, an idy-biddy-sized girl who decides she wants to run away. While she’s at it she realizes there might be a thing or two she needs to bring with her like her dinosaur, and her dog…and maybe even dad too. The whimsical and breezy illustrations sold me on this book, but the humor and charm of the storytelling makes the whole package a winner!
Pirate vs. Pirate
by Mary Quattlebaum and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Ahhhhrg Matey! Who be the greatest pirate in the world? In this fantastically fun read-aloud adventure Big Bad Bart and Mean Mad Mo battle to see who is brave enough to swim with sharks, juggle cannon balls, and hornswaggle their way up the tallest mast on this side of the Pacific! You won’t want to miss this swashbuckling adventure else it be you who’s left empty handed and walkin’ the plank!
Stars
by Mary Lyn Ryan and illustrated by Marla Frazee
A beautiful book about everything star. A lovely look at how stars are all around us: looking over us in the sky, held in our pockets for good luck, found in forests, or given away for good deeds well done. This elegant book is both warm and musing and philosophical, and instant classic for your picture book treasury.
0 Comments on Got Gifts? My 2011 Picture Book Suggestions! as of 11/30/2011 1:46:00 PM
Hopefully you’ve enjoyed your turkey comas and tended to your Black Friday bruises and are ready for the big buying marathon of the weeks to come! Since I will be making quite a few holiday suggestions in the bookstore this season I thought I might share a few of my favorites with all of you as well! So here are my 2011, ready to be wrapped, picture book suggestions:
I Want My Hat Back
by Jon Klassen
A hilarious yet simple book about a bear who can’t seem to find his hat. It packs a final punch unlike any picture book I’ve seen before, and adults will love this book as much as kids (possibly more)! It has lovely illustrations and is fun to read out loud.
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
A gorgeously illustrated book about the life and legacy of a grandfather as captured through the sculptures of his garden. A lovely book for grandparents to share with their grand-kids. This one will charm and tug on your heart strings at the same time.
Itsy Mitsy Runs Away by Elanna Allen
You will fall in love with the adorable illustrations and determined attitude of Itsy Mitsy, an idy-biddy-sized girl who decides she wants to run away. While she’s at it she realizes there might be a thing or two she needs to bring with her like her dinosaur, and her dog…and maybe even dad too. The whimsical and breezy illustrations sold me on this book, but the humor and charm of the storytelling makes the whole package a winner!
Pirate vs. Pirate
by Mary Quattlebaum and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Ahhhhrg Matey! Who be the greatest pirate in the world? In this fantastically fun read-aloud adventure Big Bad Bart and Mean Mad Mo battle to see who is brave enough to swim with sharks, juggle cannon balls, and hornswaggle their way up the tallest mast on this side of the Pacific! You won’t want to miss this swashbuckling adventure else it be you who’s left empty handed and walkin’ the plank!
Stars
by Mary Lyn Ryan and illustrated by Marla Frazee
A beautiful book about everything star. A lovely look at how stars are all around us: looking over us in the sky, held in our pockets for good luck, found in forests, or given away for good deeds well done. This elegant book is both warm and musing and philosophical, and instant classic for your picture book treasury.
1 Comments on Got Gifts? My 2011 Picture Book Suggestions!, last added: 12/1/2011
Everybody's parents fight, right? It's normal. They disagree, say things they don't mean, forget birthdays and anniversaries- but they forgive each other... right? Well, not always. Sometimes parents don't make up. Sometimes a mom or a dad can only take so much before they just need a break. A break- from being married, a break from the person they married. Does this mean they don't love each other? I guess that's what the break will tell them. But what about the kids? When a mom and dad decide to take a break- what happens to them? Do they get a choice in the matter? Probably not... parents usually make those kinds of decisions without consulting the kids.
But think about it. How would you feel if one morning you woke up and your mom had packed the car and told you that you were going to Atlanta- right this minute. No chance to say goodbye to your friends, or pack your favorite things or turn in your homework. You had to get in the car and leave everything... including your dad. And what if your dad hugged you goodbye and your mom drove away? What if you looked back to see your dad chasing the car and yelling at your mom to come back? How would you feel?Bigger Than a Bread Box, by Laurel Snyder will show you how you might feel. In this book, Rebecca is the girl who wakes up to find that her mom is leaving her dad in Baltimore and driving to Atlanta to stay with her mother (Gran). Rebecca knew that her parents had been having trouble- but enough trouble to leave her dad behind? And what is worse? Rebecca had no idea. Rebecca had no choice.After a silent drive from Baltimore to Atlanta, Rebecca, her brother Lew and her mom arrive at Gran's house. When Gran tells her about the new middle school she will be starting on Friday, Rebecca realizes that they aren't there for a few days. She hides in the attic so she doesn't have to talk to her mother. While in hiding, she looks through some of Gran's things and finds a collection of bread boxes. (Bread boxes were used back in the day to keep bread fresh- before it was made with all the preservatives we use today... it would go stale so fast. It also kept out the bugs and the mice) Rebecca is drawn to a beautiful red bread box that seems to stand out from all of the others. As she sits in the attic, bored and covered with dust, she wishes, out loud, that she had a book to read. Instantly, she hears a thud come from the red bread box. She opens it up and finds an old ratty copy of a Nancy Drew book. Rebecca takes the book and the bread box back to her room. She wishes that she had 20 bucks- again, the box makes a sound, Rebecca opens it and there is a 20 dollar bill. Rebecca realizes that she can wish for anything that will fit into the bread box and it will appear... it's magic. Rebecca decides to use this box to her advantage- she wishes for things that will help her adjust to her new situation. (new jeans for her, lip g
I haven't read any reviews of Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu, and I won't until I hit the publish button at the bottom of this post. I knew this was a much talked about book, lots of Newbery buzz, and I didn't want to be influenced in my reading or my reviewing.
I am sure you know the story of
The Snow Queen, by Hans Christian Anderson- right? Well, Breadcrumbs is a retelling of this fairy tale aimed at the tween crowd. Jack and Hazel are best friends and accept each other as they are. Hazel has trouble fitting in and Jack is her only friend. Hazel understands why Jack's mom has distant and sad eyes (she has depression). And Jack understands how Hazel feels about her parent's divorce. He doesn't even ask her what it's like to be adopted. They are soul mates in a sense.
Jack has chosen Hazel over the mean boys at school and the mean boys aren't happy about that. They go out of their way to torment and tease Hazel. One day at recess, a sliver something happens to Jack that turns his heart to ice. He is mean and nasty to Hazel, and then he just disappears.
Hazel can't stand the idea of going on without Jack, so she makes it her quest to find him and save him. She finds out that Jack was taken by a tall, white woman riding a sled pulled by wolves...enter The White Witch (or snow queen as I think of her). Hazel sets off after Jack and endures many setbacks and bad guys along the way. She also encounters many people/creatures who could have helped her but are too consumed with their own troubles to offer her help. Hazel attempts to help each of them and is very tempted to stay where she is- until she pulled toward Jack by the power of love. As Hazel continues on her quest, she grows and matures but remains so innocent through it all. And in the end, it is Hazel's love for Jack that might just save him from The Snow Queen.
As I read this book, I just let it wash over me. The words are so beautiful, almost like a lullaby. I wanted to enjoy the story and not pick it apart and analyze the meaning... so I waited until now to do that. Now, don't take my ideas for your own- I think this book allows the reader to form their own opinions and ideas. I am not a psychology major, so go gentle on me in the comments!
I felt so very heavy as I read this book- I started to become as down as the characters- so it took me longer than usual to finish. I think the Snow Queen (White Witch) is depression... mental illness, perhaps. Jack's mom had depression and it changed his entire life. He was such a young man to deal with something as serious and devastating as having a mother with depression. Jack may have been looking for a chance to hide from it all and forget about his mom- and The White Witch gave him just that: She froze his heart so he couldn't feel anything. I don't think she did this to be mean, she does it because she cares about him and doesn't want him to feel any more pain. (To me, The Snow Queen wasn't
Thought I’d start tackling some of your open thread questions. Here’s one from sashwee:
Do you have chapter book recommendations for a 4yo girl who is very verbal, and has a good attention span for listening, (similar to your Rilla?) but still only 4 (well almost 5) and not ready for the full brunt of…life?…fiction?
Matter of fact, I do!
(Last night, at the weekly kidlitchat on Twitter, I realized that one of the things I enjoy most in the whole world is helping people find good books to read—being a book matchmaker. If there were such a thing as eHarmony for readers, I could totally work there.)
All right, suggestions for a four-year-old who is ready to listen to chapter books:
• My Father’s Dragon series by Ruth Stiles Gannett. Our family’s favorite choice for that first “book with chapters” read-aloud. Scott is working his way through the trilogy with Rilla right now.
• My Naughty Little Sister by Dorothy Edwards.
• Milly-Molly-Mandy by Joyce Lankester Brisley, and its sequel, More Milly-Molly-Mandy. Like Naughty Little Sister, these are episodic books; each chapter is its own little story. Milly-Molly-Mandy’s busy daily adventures—very much rooted in simple domestic village life, running errands for her family, staying alone for the first time, deciding what to spend her hard-earned pennies on—have enchanted all four of my girls around age four or five.
• Winnie-the-Pooh (does that go without saying?)
• the first two Betsy-Tacy books can be perfect for a five-year-old, but I have found my girls really clicked with Betsy at a slightly older age—perhaps seven or eight.
• Kipling’s Just-So Stories. I began reading these to Rilla at age four and she adores them—the belly laughs are irresistible. I rather suspect, however, that she believes “O Best Beloved” is referring to her specifically and is likely to be disgruntled when she realizes I read those words to her big sisters before her, in their day.
• Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary.
• The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (the very first one, which has a special kind of sweetness and earnestness to it—this was a head-over-heels-in-love book for Jane at age 4).
• Old Mother West Wind and other Thornton Burgess animal stories—now, for us these were hit or miss. I had come kids adore them, and others who found them dull.
• Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater. In our house, this is a read-aloud reserved exclusively for the daddy.
• Pippi Longsto
As a writer I’m always pushing myself to improve my craft. After all, as a writer in the big fancy publishing machine, it’s the only power I actually have: be the best writer I can be! It’s empowering to know this is the one place where effort and results are self-made. So in the spirit of inspiring you all to become the best writer you can be, I thought I’d share a few craft books that have really made an impact on my writing journey in the last few months.
1) The Art of Fiction by John Gardner 
A classic for any aspiring or working writer, The Art of Fiction covers the gamut of writing techniques from the fictive dream, the importance of character, and point-of-view, to structure, plot, and profluence (and I’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg). Some dislike Gardner’s “God-like” and cocky attitude, but if you’re willing to ignore his gravitas and listen to the finer points there is really a lot to learn from this book. I find myself constantly referring back to it for advice and instruction, not to mention the great exercises outlined in the back of the book.
2) From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butle
r
Robert Olen Butler approaches writing from the state of unconscious creation, and boldly states that if you are thinking about your writing then you are not really tapping into the heart of your work. From Where You Dream is a compelling book on how the craft of writing is an act of creation done in the subconscious, a world of sensuality and deeply felt emotion. Each chapter is a near-transcription of his writing lectures (including discussion of student work) and pushes the boundaries of how one could (or should) work. Some people will really connect to these ideas, and others will find it difficult. Those who like to write from intuition will really enjoy this book.
3) Alone With All That Could Happen by David Jauss 
For those who have a strong foundation in writing craft and are looking to push themselves into new territory David Jauss’ book Alone With All That Could Happen is the craft book for you. A series of essays on writing craft, Jauss challenges common craft concepts and pushes the reader (and writer) to really dig deeper. He claims that first person point of view can be omniscient, or that epiphanies in books are over rated to the point that they ruin perfectly good stories. He takes the common craft wisdom andputs it to the test with insight and examples. A must-read for anyone interested in taking the next step with their work.
4) Steering the Craft by Ursula Le Guin 
If you are new to writing (or want a nice brush-up) Le Guin’s Steering th
When I hear the name Lois Lowry, I think of futuristic,
dystopian societies and one of my all time favorite books The Giver. So, when I saw the cover of her newest book
Bless This Mouse, I was shocked, disappointed and excited all at the same time. I kept the book on my "to read" pile for 2 weeks. But tonight, I sat down and read it in 2 hours. A-Dor-A-Ble! This was a very sweet book. In a time when most of the books the fly off the shelves are about fighting and killing and vampires and wimpy kids, this book was a breath of fresh air for me. My only concern is that it will be hard to get this book out to a wide audience because it is so sweet.
Bless This Mouse by Lois Lowry (F LOW) is the story of 220 church mice. The mice live secretly and safely in the church, keeping to themselves and avoiding humans. Hildegarde is the Mouse Mistress, the leader of the mice. She is a very serious and keeps the mice in line- she doesn't tolerate in nonsense. The mice population is beginning to grow, and this is worrisome to Hildegarde. She knows that fall is a very bad time to be a church mouse. In September, the church celebrates The Feast of Saint Francis and the Blessing of The Animals. All of the parishioners are invited to bring their pets to the church for a blessing. This is very dangerous for the mice because the children bring their cats to be blessed. The blessing of the animals in safe when held Outdoors, but if it rains, the Blessing of the Animals is held in the church. In the past, many mice have been list to the jaws of cats that have gotten loose. Hildegarde is concerned that the large number of mice babies will draw the attention the people and their pets- baby mice are hard to control and adolescent mice never listen to their parents.
To make matters worse, the mice have grown a bit careless. They have been taking shortcuts and risks that they usually don't take. Several parishioners have seen mice in the church, but when mischief of baby mice are spotted in the ladies room, the priest, Father Murphy decides to call The Great X (the exterminator). Hildegarde is faced with the terrible task of saving the entire mouse population. She leads them on a mass exodus from the church to the graveyard to wait out the exterminator.
She discovers that the situation in the church has become very dangerous. The exterminator has left behind rodent poison and glue traps. Glue traps lead to a terrible death when the mouse steps on the glue and gets stuck, left to starve or suffocate. Hildegarde hatches an ingenious plan to save the mice from the traps... but the plan is very dangerous. Will the mice be able to return to the church? Will the cats devour more mice during The Blessing of the Animals? Hmmm.... I''ll never tell!
This book is a quick read, and would make a wonderful bedtime read aloud for kids K-3. You could easily pair this book with The Tale of Desperaux. I felt like I got to know the characters of the book and grew to love each of them (even Lucretia, by the end). Bless This Mouse is a sweet little story that
tween (twn) n. A child between middle childhood and adolescence, usually between 8 and 12 years old.
What is it about kids these days? They think they need to grow up so fast! Try as we might, we just can't convince them that there is no hurry. I have noticed these days that my "tween"readers (ages 8-12) are quick to jump in to books that are intended for young adults! (They ask me for Hunger Games and Twilight!) Young adult fiction is geared towards kids ages 14 to 21. Tween readers are ages 8-12.
Today I will let you in on a little known librarian secret: we trick kids. That is right. We trick them into thinking they are reading books that are meant for older kids. I bet you didn't know that, did you? So, today I open my bag of tricks and give you 9 books that I use to trick these "children" into thinking they are reading "young adult" books... if you are a kid, this blog post will self destruct in 10 seconds and you will have no memory of what you've just witnessed.
Realistic Fiction
Draper, Sharon. Out of My Mind Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time. Starred Review. 
Lord, Cynthia. Touch Blue When the state of Maine threatens to shut down their island's one-room schoolhouse because of dwindling enrollment, eleven-year-old Tess, a strong believer in luck, and her family take in a trumpet-playing foster child, to increase the school's population.
3 Comments on Tween Fiction, last added: 3/12/2011
Leah will turn three tomorrow! I can't believe how grown up she acts. She is sassy and has plenty of attitude (I don't know where she got those 2 traits). Even with all of her sass, she is an avid reader and has memorized several books. When you hear her, it sounds like she is actually READING the book. So, in honor of MiMi (Leah), I give you a list of her favorite books... books I could read in my sleep, and can recite without the book in front of me. Read to your kids! What are your favorite books to share with your children?
Pinkalicious by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann (E KAN)
Leah's favorite color was purple until she read this book! Now she can't get enough pink! This year, her birthday cupcakes were replicas of the cupcakes made in the book. She can recite this book word for word! The paperback version of it is on its last leg at our house, so I will need to buy another copy soon. Don't tell her, but I got her the Pinkalicious doll for her birthday! We watch this video at least 2 times a night!
Pinkalicious Pink-a-boo!
David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon (E SHA)
Leah enjoys all of the books by David Shannon, but right now, this is her favorite. I think she delights in watching other kids get in trouble for a change! I didn't mean to!
The a Monster at the End of This Book by John Stone
I remember reading this Little
I read this book to 2nd grade last week, and it cracked them up! This is the story of a papa chicken who reads a bedtime story to Little Chicken. I can relate to this story, being the mom of an interrupting almost-3-year-old. Like my daughter, Little Chicken has something to say about every single page. It takes for ever to finish a story! Papa Chicken knows this, and encourages Little Chicken to be quiet and just listen. This proves to be very difficult! The story ends with Little Chicken reading to Papa... will Papa interrupt the story?
I guess I am still in the mood for love, because this week I give you 10 stories of unlikely friendship and love.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
E RIC
This tale based on a true story about a charming penguin family living in New York City's Central Park Zoo will capture the hearts of penguin lovers everywhere. Roy and Silo, two male penguins, are "a little bit different." They cuddle and share a nest like the other penguin couples, and when all the others start hatching eggs, they want to be parents, too. Determined and hopeful, they bring an egg-shaped rock back to their nest and proceed to start caring for it. They have little luck, until a watchful zookeeper decides they deserve a chance at having their own family and gives them an egg in need of nurturing. The dedicated and enthusiastic fathers do a great job of hatching their funny and adorable daughter, and the three can still be seen at the zoo today. (School Library Journal)
Nacho and Lolita by Pam Munoz RyanE RYA
Each year on the March feast day of St. Joseph, the swallows return to the Mission. This tale is told from the perspective of another avian wonder, a once-colorful pitacoche. How it becomes a plainer-looking creature is at the heart of this pourquoi tale. Nacho, an extravagantly colored bird who lands at the Mission, is unimpressed with the arid landscape, but nonetheless does his best to entertain the native peoples and friars with his haunting melodies and bright appearance. Human acclaim, however, does not compare with the company of other birds, and so he eagerly anticipates the rumored return of the swallows. Nacho bonds with them and in particular with a sweet little female named Lolita. Much as he would like to accompany the swallows when the flock departs, it proves impossible for the big, ungainly bird. Initially distraught, he channels his energy into creating a surprise for them upon their return, and as a by-product leaves a lasting legacy of color and beauty for the Mission. (School Library Journal)
Owen & Mzee: The Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella & Craig Hatkoff
When the six-year-old contributor to this book saw the photograph documenting the extraordinary friendship between a baby hippo (Owen) and a 130-year-old giant tortoise
Thank you for sharing this list! I’ve been meaning to read DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE for a while, and MY BOOK OF LIFE BY ANGEL is also sitting on my shelf, waiting for me. Must get to them soon! PHINEUS GAGE also sounds like an awesome book.
NOTHING was a remarkable little book. Spare, powerful, disturbing.