The Shipping News

by Annie Proulx

When Quoyle's two-timing wife meets her just desserts, he retreats with his two daughters to his ancestral home on the starkly beautiful Newfoundland coast, where a rich cast of local characters and family members all play a part in Quoyle's struggle to reclaim his life. As Quoyle confronts his private demons -- and the unpredictable forces of nature and society -- he begins to see the possibility of love without pain or misery.A vigorous, darkly comic, and at times magical portrait of the contemporary North American family, "The Shipping News" shows why Annie Proulx is recognized as one of the most gifted and original writers in America today.
(summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

What a brilliant work of fiction. The narration was exquisite and the story powerful and compelling. The characters were thoroughly believable. I just can't say enough good things about this book. Definitely goes into the category of "Just Read It."

Nation

by Terry Pratchett

Alone on a desert island — everything and everyone he knows and loves has been washed away in a storm — Mau is the last surviving member of his nation. He’s completely alone — or so he thinks until he finds the ghost girl. She has no toes, wears strange lacy trousers like the grandfather bird, and gives him a stick that can make fire.
Daphne, sole survivor of the wreck of the Sweet Judy, almost immediately regrets trying to shoot the native boy. Thank goodness the powder was wet and the gun only produced a spark. She’s certain her father, distant cousin of the Royal family, will come and rescue her but it seems, for now, that all she has for company is the boy and the foul-mouthed ship’s parrot, until other survivors arrive to take refuge on the island. Together, Mau and Daphne discover some remarkable things (including how to milk a pig, and why spitting in beer is a good thing), and start to forge a new nation.

Encompassing themes of death and nationhood, Terry Pratchett’s new novel is, as can be expected, extremely funny, witty and wise. Mau’s ancestors have something to teach us all. Mau just wishes they would shut up about it and let him get on with saving everyone’s lives!
(Summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

I loved this book--obviously. I had so much fun reading it and finding the dramatized version of it on BBC Radio 4 Extra. Mau and Daphne are such great characters and it was great to see them grow and develop because of--and in spite of--quite dire circumstances. Seriously great book.

Haroun and the Sea of Stories

by Salman Rushdie, Paul Birkbeck (Illustrator)

Immediately forget any preconceptions you may have about Salman Rushdie and the controversy that has swirled around his million-dollar head. You should instead know that he is one of the best contemporary writers of fables and parables, from any culture. Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a delightful tale about a storyteller who loses his skill and a struggle against mysterious forces attempting to block the seas of inspiration from which all stories are derived.
(Summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

I can't get over how hilarious this book was. It was discretely extremely intelligent in a way that if you have a lot of random knowledge in your head, you will appreciate how cleverly funny it is. However, I'm sure there were loads of little tidbits I missed and still found it immensely enjoyable, so dive in!