BOOKS: Best of 2009

I know this posting is a little late for 2009, but it had to be posted. There’s only one book on my favorite list for 2009, and that is OF BEES AND MIST by ERICK SETIAWAN

As an avid historical fiction reader, I was hesitant to go out of my comfort zone with BEES, but I have never been happier I did. Setiawan did a phenomenal job capturing the complex and intertwined lives of three generations of women from two feuding families. The book has it all; love, loss, and even some magic. Well, like I said, I don’t want to give anything away. So here’s what the publisher has to say about it:

In book stores now you’ll find an incredibly beautiful and moving debut novel called OF BEES AND MIST by Erick Setiawan. A sentimental and complex fable of three generations of women from two rival families, it is a story of mothers and daughters and of sisters and friendships. Meridia is a lonely child, haunted by a mysterious incident at birth that tore her parents apart and left her living in a cold, loveless home. At age sixteen, she meets the charming and naive Daniel, eagerly marries him and promptly moves into his inviting home with his parents and sisters. It is not long before Meridia learns of her mother-in-law’s deceitful ways and her power—both natural and supernatural—that she uses to control those around her. When Meridia rebels, a lifelong battle begins and an engrossing, epic saga ensues that will both shock and thrill you.

I have spoken directly to editor Kerri Kolen, who is so proud of this new author, “Buy this book tomorrow. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed”. She was also kind enough to provide me with some industry praise:

“A beautifully crafted adult fairytale of love, loss and loyalty that is at once witty, magical, and moving. Of Bees and Mist is a stunningly accomplished first novel.”
--John Connolly, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Things and The Lovers

“Of Bees and Mist is sheer enchantment. Erick Setiawan has created a magical world just outside of our own, made all the more human and compelling by its rich and astonishing strangeness.”
--Keith Donohue, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Child and Angels of Destruction

"While filled with fortune-tellers, ghosts and unexplained phenomena, the relationships between the various characters are true to life so that fans of fantasy and fiction lovers alike are sure to enjoy this magical tale."
--Publishers Weekly

Trust me when I say that the book is really not to be missed, I couldn’t pull my nose out of it!

But hey, that’s just this girl’s opinion