Psyched Out

I loved it, captivating prose and a rollicking gothic plot. It was largely about the love of reading itself and what it means to be a reader. One of the best things about eighteenth and nineteenth century novels is that in addition to the plot working itself out there is usually an accompanying examination of the human condition. _Pride and Prejudice_ examines personal honor. _Jane Eyre_ examines the line between originality and insanity. _The Idiot_ examines humanity and divinity. This novel has that quality. If you want to read a contemporary author who resembles older writers, Diane Setterfield is your woman.

I'm joining a book club this week, and I had never heard of _The Thirteenth Tale_ because I'm very ignorant about contemporary writers. I know there ARE writers now who are every bit as good as Jane Austen or George Eliot, I just don't know who they are or how to find out about them. So I'm joining a pair of book clubs.

In addition to the introduction to contemporary authors the clubs will provide, joining will revive two aspects of MY life that have lain dormant for about seven years. As you can imagine, baby and toddler and preschool twins take up a lot of time. They are time vampires. I'm only just beginning to have time to read again. Also, the move to Michigan means I have no friends who are mine alone. My husband's friends are wonderful people and I love them, but none of them is a friend that I made on my own. I'm hoping to become friends with some of my book club peers. Even if that doesn't happen, I will at least be socializing with people who have a common interest, which is no bad thing.