Reading is both an occupational hazard and a beloved hobby, but there never seems to be enough time for all that catches my eye. (Point of fact: I have an entire bookcase filled with books that I have bought or been given which I wish to read, but haven’t had a chance to peek at yet!)
At the end of spring term, one of my colleagues put out a call to find out what people planned to read over the summer. I had chosen The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Though I had purchased it nearly 2 years ago, it had sat, waiting for me, on my bookcase. It’s a book we own at the library, as well, and each time it was checked out and returned, I would look at it, re-read the book description, and promise myself that this would be something I’d read soon.
I’m thrilled to say that “soon” arrived this summer. And frankly, The Thirteenth Tale was over too soon! Not because it is a short book, but simply because I enjoyed it too much. This is a story for those who are willing, nay, apt to get sucked into the world of the books they read. I was engrossed in the world which the author created, sucked in by the false paths and tangents that occur in everyday life, but go unnoticed. I read much of it sitting on my front porch, hurtled out of my book world only when a dog passed by and sent my dog into a barking frenzy.
This isn’t a perfect book – the last 30 pages or so felt a little pat to me – but maybe my disappointment in those last few pages stems from the fact that the majority of the book was so extraordinary, I was let down when the end was “merely” good!
I’m purposely not saying much about the storyline. It’s something that I want readers to explore on their own. But if you love books, and enjoy a story that has a quiet setting but a lot of drama , this is a choice I encourage you to pick up.
Next up for me – the two library books I checked out 2 weeks ago, intending to read during my vacation. (Those titles: The Amulet of Samarkand and Girls in Trucks.) If I’m really fortunate, I’ll fall into a world which encompasses me whole. And then, perhaps, it will be time to pull another gem off my bookshelf – or maybe something will entice me as I pass a library bookshelf.
~Christine Aden
