We have this lovely little bookstore downtown El Dorado. Since I'm trying to support my local dealers as good as possible, I go there as soon as I have a feeling I will be running out of reading material soon.
The other day I was there to pick up a book I ordered, when I saw a few books on the shelf, all with similar covers. I LOVE series. I miss the characters of the stories as soon as I finish a book. So series give me the chance to spend a little more time with them.
That day I decided to pick up the first book of the Flavia de Luce series, which is called "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie". And I didn't regret it one day! The Author is Alan Bradley.
It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath.
For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”
via goodreads.com
The first few pages were a little weird to read. I had to get used to the way Alan Bradley writes I guess. And since Flavia, a 11 year old girl, is the narrator, it all adds up to a whole new reading experience.
The book was well received by critics as an old-fashioned mystery featuring an unforgettable protagonist (Flavia). The novel has won multiple awards and is the first in a proposed 6-book series. Currently I own 1-5. I will definitely order the remaining one as well.
I finished the first book in s few days, bought the number 2-5 right away, and right now I am about to finish reading the 3rd one, which is called "A Red Herring Without Mustard". The books have the weirdest names, and (IMO) not the nicest covers, but I think they are awesome, funny, entertaining.... A MUST READ! If you love mystery and black humor.
Goodreads.com sums the series up:
"Precocious 11-year old fascinated with chemistry and death bicycles around Bishop's Lacey from ancient country house Buckshaw in 1950s England."
Hi Anni, I too love to read...I get so lost in the stories & the characters. I do have a kindle, but I also have to have a book in hand, I love the feel and the smell of the pages, I'm also a magazine JUNKY...(hourder).
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun series to read. I am much like you in that I love to read from a book though I do have a reader. There's just something about being able to turn the page and hold the book. Thanks for the new series - will have to check it out. Cathy
ReplyDeleteI love to read though I've been missing out on it lately. I love finding that perfect book or series that you can get lost in. It's always my favorite thing about reading. :)
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