Wednesday, May 22, 2013

My Blind Date

They've come up with a wonderful idea at Swansea Central Library: Book Blind Dating.

They have one display stand given over to books wrapped in brown paper. At first glance I thought they must be X-rated but as Fifty Shades of Grey and others of those ilk had previously been displayed openly I decided further investigation was needed.
Of course I had to give it a go! The first book I chose had these clues: man/boy, Joni Mitchell and shoes. Any ideas what that could be? Unfortunately, when I got to the machine to check it out I discovered I'd already read it so had to go and choose again. I can tell you I haven't read this one but what do you think it might be?

Still on the subject of books I've just finished The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne. An excellent and disturbing book. I've realised that two of the books I've read recently, including this one, are intended for children/young adult readers. The other was Daughter of Venice, by Donna Jo Napoli, which I'd had on my shelf for years but only  read on my way to Italy this year. It's another book I can thoroughly recommend. It's about a young girl from a wealthy family growing up in 16th century Venice and the rules and traditions to which she is expected to conform and against which she rebels. Full of historical detail and atmosphere it was easy to read - as you'd expect for a y.a. novel - and fascinating. 

Now, any ideas on the titles of my blind dates?

5 comments:

Furtheron said...

Excellent idea!! Good way to discover new authors etc.

Leslie: said...

No idea on the "blind date" book, but I've read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and it IS excellent yet disturbing. There's a movie made of it as well. The one about Venice sounds great and I'll check it out.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Some teen fiction is excellent , especially the historical ones , though I tend to avoid the romances ... I'm probably a little old/past it for those , anyway !

Trubes said...

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is indeed disturbing and yet poignant, I couldn't bear to watch the movie.

Di.x

Liz Hinds said...

Isn't it, furtheron?

About a Boy was my first - already read - choice and Sophie's World is the one I ended up, leslie.

It is, sonata. Like Goodnight,Mr Tom. no, young romance might not be our style!

I haven't seen the film, di, but I think - possibly - I would like to.