On Good Reads...

As I mentioned last post, I am not only an avid reader, but I also work at Barnes & Noble, which means that I probably should be recommending some books to you guys.

Right now I'm reading the Martian Trilogy by Edgar Rice Burroughs, but Sci-fi is not my usual genre. Normally I stick to women's fiction, magical realism, or historical fiction, although I do like to take on different genres every once in a while. For example, I'm really into the Chew graphic novel series. It is so funny and great. I definitely recommend it. Another great read is The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. It is a great book for those who are into magical realism. Fans of the Night Circus seem  to like this one.

But I'm not going to talk about those books today. The one I want to recommend to anyone and everyone is Juliet by Anne Fortier, which I actually read two years ago.

My well-loved copy

Containing all the beauty of Tuscany, the thrill of a good mystery, and the romance of Shakespeare's most famous tragedy, Anne Fortier's novel takes you behind the legend that inspired the tale of star-crossed lovers and into a world where "the plague on both your houses" may still be in effect. A thrilling romance that incorporates history and dazzling storytelling, I would call Juliet a must read for all different types of readers.

This is the description on back of the book:

When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told that it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a winding and perilous journey into the history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo rocked the foundations of medieval Siena. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families immortalized in Shakespeare’s unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is the next target. It seems that the only one who can save Julie from her fate is Romeo—but where is he?

I've only read this book once, but I definitely want to read it again. Picked up on a whim at an airport while traveling for my first post-college job, this book caught me by surprise and served to fill the loneliness I was feeling during this period in my life. And when I finished, I felt ready to fall in love (I met my current boyfriend the following month, which might be entirely coincidental). It's a book that I feel deserves to be recommended because I'm afraid you may never hear of it otherwise. And if you're not a big fan of Shakespeare's story don't worry. While I liked the play, I felt that Romeo and Juliet were two reckless teenagers. However, in this book, my feelings were different, and yours will be too.

If you're looking for a good book to read right now, consider this one, and head down to your local Barnes & Noble today ;)