Weekend Recommendations #30

This is a weekly feature, where I get to go all fannish about two randomly-picked favvies (which may not actually be favorites, but got a rating of 3 or more strawberries) that I would recommend to friends!

Title: Dust Girl

Author: Sarah Zettel

Genre: historical fantasy

Part of a Series: America Fairy Trilogy

Rating: 3 out of 5

Who'll Like It: Girls and guys alike, fifteen-and-up. Fans of historical fantasy, the Dust Bowl era, and the Fae will love this different and rather odd twist on Faerie.

Why I Liked It:

I'm a fan of historical fantasy and the Fae. I'm not normally of the opinion that the Fair Folk should be taken out of the British Isles - it causes Faerie to lose some of its charm. However, the Author did such a tremendously good job of blending Faerie into the Dust Bowl-era America that I've changed my opinion slightly. The characters are amazing in this book, and while there are parts that are just totally bizarre, it made for a very interesting read. And the sequel is even better.

Title: Never Fall Down

Author: Patricia McCormick

Genre: nonfiction

Part of a Series: No

Rating: 4 out of 5

Who'll Like It: Girl-and-guy read alike, eighteen-and-up. Adults will especially enjoy it. People who like to read real accounts about such topics as the Khmer Rouge - but in a novel-like style - will find this to be a truly fascinating book.

Why I Liked It:

I'm always interested in true stories, whether they are written in a "factual narration voice" or in the style of a novel. While Never Fall Down is written like a novel, it is an absolutely true story in every other respect. And it's also not an easy read. A fairly quick one, this is a book for a weekend when you feel like reading something informative, sobering, and disturbing. The Author doesn't shy away from blood or profanity, but this book will definitely leave you contemplative.