Week 2: Appeal Factors

The first book I'd like to discuss is The Diviners by Libba Bray. This book tells the story of Evie O'Neill, a young girl with a unique ability who is sent to live with her uncle in New York City. The story takes place in 1926 and the author does an excellent job of describing the exciting time period of flappers and Prohibition. There are many characters whose individual stories weave together to create a complex plot; even the minor characters are given lengthy back stories and I enjoyed trying to figure out how they would fit into Evie's world. Evie is a well-drawn protagonist; the reader is presented with all facets of her personality, both good and bad.
The Diviners is a suspenseful tale with a good dose of mystery and the occult. While I usually don't read a lot of mysteries, I was completely sucked into the world Bray creates and I couldn't read fast enough to see how all the pieces fell into place. I'm eagerly awaiting the second book in this planned trilogy.

Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick is filled with lyrical, beautiful prose and centers around mysterious stranger Charlie Beale who arrives in a small town in Virginia. Set in the late 1940's, Goolrick paints a distinct picture of post WWII America. Heading Out to Wonderful explores how relationships between friends, lovers, parents and children, husbands and wives, shape our lives. Goolrick is a wonderful storyteller, spinning a tragic tale of love and loss that is fraught with tension.


I suggested 2 titles to Jennifer Riley for the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio.