Okay, so maybe I overshot with the "dazzling" bit on that last entry. I tried to think of something brilliant, but it's a Friday, and I'm tired of entertaining you people. (I'm kidding. APOG loves you, and you know it.)

I do want to tell you guys about a book I just read.

Once upon a time, my trips to the library used to be quiet, leisurely moments where I strolled the aisles, perusing and choosing to my heart's content. And now? Ha. It's a mad dash during which I grab a dozen books based solely on their covers (oh the shame!) and pray that one of them will be a jewel. Hey, it's not a perfect system, but it does the job. I usually end up with a few that are readable.

The jewel this time was "The Little House" by Philippa Gregory. Not having read her stuff before, I wasn't sure what to expect, which is the way I like it. There's nothing as delicious as an unexpected find.

The story centers around Ruth, who led a very solitary life until she married Patrick. Unfortunately, she still seems to be "on the outside looking in" with his family, and this story chronicles the breakdown of the fragile family dynamics.
(Wow, I sound like quite the Reviewer, don't I?) Anyway, I don't want to give away too much- because I hate it when people do that. But, I am comfortable telling you that this book surprised me. It was domestically gothic, if that makes sense. It reminded me of a short story I read in highschool, "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl. If you read that, and liked it, chances are this will be right up your alley.

The theme was not one I related to, because even though my Other Half is also a Patrick, he's a dreamboat and my in-laws are amazing. So, it's not the story that got me, but it was the writing. Nothing overdone, and yet, there was a wealth of information to find between the lines. She suggested and hinted and eventually steered you down a path to a startling conclusion. I was impressed with the way she could set the atmosphere with just a few simple words. I couldn't help but get drawn into the story, and even though it wasn't a fast paced book, I couldn't put it down!

Now, the other twelve books I so haphazardly snatched off the shelves... well, they aren't quite as promising. How did I end up with Eminem's biography? Hm.

Well, that's the literary scoop for the day. Yummy, wasn't it?