with the works of Diana Wynne Jones. I have only read two so far: Enchanted Glass and Howl's Moving Castle, I have the entire Chrestomanci Series waiting on my shelf and the second two in the Howl series on the way from Powell's (used versions), as well as A Tale of Time City. So far all the books have been wonderful and charming. Her characters are interesting and believable fantasy characters. The books are appropriate for children, young adults, and adults. I did not feel like I was reading kids books because they are not dumbed down by explaining every little nuance, Wynne clearly trusts her readers to figure it out, whatever "it" may be. Nor do they avoid using specialized vocabulary, again relying on the reader's ability to use the context clues. If a child really wants to read a book, and children want to read her books, he will do what he has to to be successful. Easily frustrated readers will give up if a book is boring, but something fascinating like these books will work even with readers who have to put a great deal of effort in.
Because the books are fantasy, the plots are somewhat difficult to summarize without giving anything away, but I will give it a shot. Enchanted Glass, which I read quite a while ago and commented on briefly takes place at Melstone House with a protective, enchanted window. Why do the inhabitants of the house need protection? Well, since Andrew Hope inherited the house he knows there is something odd about it, but it is not until foster child Aidan arrives that everything starts to get exciting. That is about all I can say except it is a lovely read for the backyard in a hammock or cuddled up on a comfy chair on a rainy day.
Howl's Moving Castle is one of Jones' most well-known and highly regarded novels, for good reason. Howl is a terrifying magician, or so he wants people to believe, who lives in a castle he has moved from place to place to avoid angy mobs and other undesirable interactions. He spends his time looking for love and training his apprentice Michael. Amazingly, as interesting as Howl is, he is not even the main character. This instead is Sophie Hatter, who is a teen turned into an old lady after an unfortunate encounter with the Witch of the Waste. Sophie seeks Howl because she believes he can remove the enchantment. Adventures ensue and a lovely tale unfolds. I am soooo looking forward to the next two books.
Yet again the temptation to quit my job and read full time overwhelms me, but then I think of eating and back to work I go.
