Disappearing Nightly
Laura Resnick

Struggling actress Esther Diamond was hoping for a break. Landing a job as understudy to petulant minor rock star Golly Gee isn't a fabulous gig, but it's better than waitressing. Golly is starring as the magician's assistant in an off-Broadway magic show. Fortunately for Esther, Golly disappears - really disappears - during the vanishing act. Esther is eager to show her skills, thinking Golly left on purpose. The next day Esther recieves a mysterious note warning her she's in danger; Golly's disapperance wasn't an accident. Esther decides to investigate before she takes over the role.

Shortly thereafter she catches the note-writer, Max, a kindly-looking gentleman who claims to be a 300 year old mage. He tells her Golly isn't the only assistant to vanish recently during a disappearing act. After he convinces Esther he's not crazy, the pair decide to discover the cause of the disappearances. Other magicians whose assitants have vanished volunteer to help in the search, and Esther and Max end up with an eclectic group of amateur detectives.

The story line was fun, the world of magic is an excellent setting for urban supernatural mystery. Esther is smart and entertaining, the minor characters engaging, if a little lightly drawn. I didn't find the villain's identity mysterious, however it was still an enjoyable ride. Readers who enjoy books by Kim Harrison or Charlane Harris will probably enjoy Disappearing Nightly as well.

While it was a little uneven in spots, I will keep an eye out for the sequel coming out in December of 2006.

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Bubble Bath Reading Tip;

Never read in the tub with a library book.

Unless you can afford to replace it.

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Embroideries

Marjane Satrapi

Embroideries takes place in Iran; a world Westerners think of as very different . The novel takes place during an afternoon as a group of women, including the author's mother, come to take tea with her grandmother. The women tell their stories as the author makes them tea, decants it, and listens.

Some of their stories are very funny, such as the tale of one woman's friend, who was desperate to fake her virginity during her wedding night with mixed results. Some stories are sad; but all illustrate universal topics discussed by gatherings of women; men, love, sex, family, and how to continue on when tragedy occurs. The background may not be familiar, but the emotions are universal.

While not as powerful as Persepolis or Persepolis 2, the author's previous graphic novels, Embroideries is a charming and heartwarming story.

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Welcome

Can you guess this is going to be a book review Blog? I thought so. I will post my first reviews this weekend, February 18-20. Until then, please stand by.