The Joy of Finds

In the past two days, I've finished two wonderful books, which I want to write about. First though I want to share my amazing haul from the Ann Arbor's farmer's market. I'm not sure what all of this will end up, but I love listing it out.

-head of cauliflower
-three heads of garlic
-huge bunch of scallions
-three beautiful tomatoes
-handful of fresh basil
From last weekend a quart of fresh Michigan cherries
Also from the local butchery, three beautiful duck legs
I will eat very well this weekend.

The two books I finished were quite different yet both were fantastic reads Fly By Night and The Amulet of Samarkand. I think my favorite part of both of these books is that the two main characters, Mosca and Nathaniel are not the nicest kids, they're trying to figure out what they want and along the way mess up things for a lot of other people. Sometimes they decide, that was the wrong choice and try to correct it but not always.

Also both books feature slightly alternate takes on the history of England, one in the past and one in the present, which were fully realized worlds. I loved how both books focused on the power of names and words yet not in a preachy way instead just going words are key. I'm not sure that I'd recommend Amulet of Samarkand to everyone, because Nathaniel and his world is not nice and doesn't apologize for it, but its a wonderful read. I would recommend Fly By Night to everyone, its clever, funny and feels true.