Worthy Read: The Thirteenth Tale

#1 NY Times best-selling novel by Diane Setterfield, recommended by the WSP Reader's Club.

Family secrets. Dark, haunting secrets. That's what you will discover within this novel: A famous English author, Vida Winter, has weaved many colorful stories for her fans, but she has never shared her true life story with anyone... until now. Out of the blue, an unsuspecting biographer named Margaret Lea, receives a letter from Vida, inviting her to be the first and only to pen Vida's story. And what a bewitching story it is...

This book is a page turner, no doubt about it! As Vida's story unfolds, you find yourself captivated, just as Margaret is while she records Vida's life events. I would compare the plot and writing style to The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. If you have not read the Forgotten Garden, then I've just recommended two books for your reading list instead of one!!!!

I find myself relating to Margaret's character, and her passion towards books:

"There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic."

I imagine my grandfather Irvin feeling this way towards the words contained in the endless books that lined the many shelves of his home library. The eccentric, quiet man from my childhood that I so wish I could have had the opportunity to know better. Books were his world. I believe I have much of my grandfather within me.