Peg Kerr, Emerald House Rising. A young woman training to be a gemcutter learns that she has talent for magic. The characters are interesting, the magic system is cool, and the story takes a lot of unexpected routes.
Jennifer Crusie, Bet Me. When Min’s ex-boyfriend attempts to make a bet with Cal that Cal can’t get Min into bed within a month, hijinks ensue. A fun and funny romance.
Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer, Don’t Look Down, first reread. Reading this back-to-back with a traditional Cruisie, I can see why a lot of people didn’t like this book; it’s really not a romance, though it’s got a romance subplot. I came to this book originally having read only one Crusie novel, so I didn’t have particular expectations (other than for some interesting characters and good dialogue, both of which this book has); that’s probably one reason I enjoy it so much. It’s an entertaining story; it’s got action and suspense; it has a one-eyed alligator. Even the speed of the romance doesn’t bother me; I see Lucy in particular as someone who was ready to make a big change and just needed a catalyst. I’m definitely planning to read Crusie and Mayer’s next book as soon as it’s either in the library or out in paperback.
Eve Bunting, One Green Apple. A picture book about an immigrant girl who goes on a class trip to an apple orchard. Quite nice.
Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Wow. Amazing worldbuilding, characters that while rarely likeable are still fascinating, and sensawunda out the ears. This is going to join The Count of Monte Cristo as one of my airplane reads — long enough that I won’t finish it on the first leg of the flight, fascinating enough that it’ll take me 45 minutes to notice that we still haven’t taken off.