INKHEART by Cornelia Funke

Yes the title says "Tintenherz". That's because this novel was written by a magnificent German author by the name of Cornelia Funke. Translated into English as "Inkheart", this book is about a man and his daughter who have a strange power. When Meggie's father Mo reads aloud, the books come to life. This power is not as wonderful as you may think, especially when he read a book called "INKHEART" that was filled with dastardly characters to his wife. Before he could blink an eye, the room was full of men in jet black clothes: Capricorn, Basta, a friendly juggler called Dustfinger - and Mo's wife was gone. Mo found that if something is read out of a book into our world, something from our world must take it's place. But it was too late. He tried for a long time to read her out of the story, but to no avail. Nine years later when Meggie is twelve, Dustfinger shows up at their door, telling Mo that Capricorn wants the books and is on his tail - again. There is an iffy part here where Meggie listens to the conversation instead of going to bed. Yet another when they go to see an aunt she's never met and Mo does not tell her why or what they are running from. She refuses to get in the car until she knows everything. This Aunt Elinor is a gruff book collector. A little grumpy, but a loveable character as the story goes on. Together they confront and escape Capricorn several times, drag the author of INKHEART into the action, and make everything right in a stunning climax. Or do they make EVERYTHING right?

This book is amazingly creative and well-written! I can't believe I didn't hear about it before I saw the preview of the upcoming movie about it. However, I've already mentioned some slight disrespect by Meggie to Mo, but everything indicates that they are best friends and very close. Also it would be nice to give this book to your mom at the precise moment you hand her a black sharpie. Elinor likes to use a naughty word, as does Basta on occaision. I HIGHLY recommend you get a reliable sharpie-user, because this one is just too good to miss! I do hate it when they ruin good books with all that cussing. Upon further research, I have just discovered that this book is only the first in a trilogy. I see very few things left unsaid, but it is an exciting find! Again, GET A SHARPIE-USER!!!!! Don't miss this one!!!!!

the Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

I was given the chance to read this out-of-print novel and started it with less than exceptional zeal. It sounded like a Jane Austen/the Count of Monte Cristo type read. And can you guess? It was! But what I didn't know was that those two books melded together could make such a great story!

This story is told by several of the involved characters - I've seen one or two characters doing that, but this is around ten which was something new that I liked. The story starts when a humble drawing teacher by the name of Walter Hartright meets a lady on the road dressed all in white. She is very distressed, flurried, and afraid of something and he helps her find London. As he walks down the road afterwards he overhears men from the asylum talking about their runaway - a woman dressed completely in white. We hear no more of the white lady for awhile, while Walter falls in love with one of his pupils, Laura Fairlie. And amazingly, she looks extraordinarily like the woman he helped on the road! But her sister, Marian informs him that she is engaged to a Sir Percival Glyde. Laura's father had set the match on his deathbed and she could not possibly go back on her word. An anonymous letter arrives, warning her not to go through with it. But she is unable to be released from the engagement and she does unwillingly marry Sir Percival, which is more than I thought would happen, and we are introduced to a friend of his by the name of Count Fosco. He is one of those characters you can never form a solid opinion on until the end. The woman in white, Anne Catherick, returns to the story and tells Laura there is a great secret about Sir Percival that would ruin him if unearthed. Walter delves into the mystery of Anne Catherick and Sir Percival, and you cannot foresee ANYTHING that is going to happen.
I read all that and figure out that I have NOT COME NEAR telling you about this book! There is so much mystery you'll have to read it for yourself. It is more for teens and adults, but because of hard words, not iffy content. There is mayhem, mistaken identity and all the things that guys love shoved into a girl's book! I'm sure some guys are capable of enjoying it too - but probably wouldn't dare touch it. If you can get your hands on a copy it is worth having in your home library! I need to buy it myself.
Rated: G

Author - Wilkie Collins
Country - United Kingdom
Language - English
Genre(s) - Epistolary, Mystery Novel, Sensation novel
Publisher - All the Year Round
Publication date - 1859 - 1860