Spelling the Month in Books: April

I might need to cut myself a little slack on the whole “books I read before I blogged” requirement for the rest of the year, I had a hard time coming up with much to say about these five…

	About a Boy Nick Hornby’s novel about perpetual adolescent, Will, befriending the awkward and introverted teenage, Marcus, wasn’t at all what I expected from the follow-up to High Fidelity. But, by the end, it won me over. NOwhere near as fun as Hornby’s first novel, but I recall it showing real growth in writing and characterization.
	Pride and Prejudice I was clearly having difficulty coming up with a P, if I decided to use Jane Austen’s second novel. A handful of years ago, I decided I’d read her collected works–and, I just did not understand the enduring appeal of them. I realize that this is entiredly a problem with me, but, nevertheless, it persists. It does have killer opening line, I will admit.
	The Riddle of the Wren This was Charles de Lint’s first novel, and after reading it, I could absolutely see where he’d end up having the career he did. I didn’t wow me, but there was something to the writing and the worlds described that suggested the talent he’d later display. I remember the protagonist, flaws and all, making a strong impression.
	I Thought You Were Dead Pete Nelson’s use of the protagonist’s dog, Stella, elevated this from your typical young white guy trying to put his life together novel. When it’s just Paul and Stella, they have some great conversations. I really did enjoy Paul and the other characters in the novel, too–it’s not just because of Stella that this stuck in my mind. But her presence, her relieved/excited greeting “I thought you were dead” every time Paul came home, and their relationship is the best part of it.
	Last Chance to See I wasn’t prepared for the serious side of Douglas Adams when this book came out in ’91, but it quickly won me over. Adams’s humor and quirky way of looking at things shone in his narrative about touring the world with zoologist Mark Carwardine as they look for animals on the verge of extinction and try to capture the wonder of these animals while its still possible to do so.