Empire Falls is not about Romans

  Empire Falls by Richard Russo

One of the Best books I have read this year, and they made it into a movie.  How have I missed this book?  I have read a book by Russo before, Bridge of sighs  , but it was no where near the story in Empire Falls. 
The story itself takes place in the span of a few weeks (8ish).  A small town, dependent on the factories that have built up around them are in danger of disappearing because of the closing of these factories.  The families that have stayed on and are trying to make a go of it are all somehow connected and feel some responsibility to the community.  The book tells the story of the poorest and the wealthiest in the town, and how the actions of one person lead to the events that change the lives of all. 
I have to say the story of Timmy the cat is one of the best in the book.  I also loved the character of Max, the father of the main character.  Max has some great lines but the best is "so what", which he will repeat through out the book. 
In the end the world rights itself and you are left with the feeling that somehow the outcome that should be and the one that is are the same. 

A Discovery of Witches

Reading A discovery of witches by Deborah Harkness is the most fun I have had in ages.  You know how you read for relaxation or because everyone is reading a book or just out of habit? Well this book will take you past that.  Even though it is large it flys by before you know it. 

A young reasearcher,  Diana Bishop puts in a slip to call up an  alchemical manuscript in the course of her researchand findes it bewitched. Descended from a distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with wictch, but isn't sure why she feels this way. She returns the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets world of beings ( daemons, witches, and vampires ) into an uproar., and a horde of these creatures descends upon the library in Oxford England. 

It is a faire tale and a romance together.  Each character has his/her own back story and are all well developed.  By page 400 or so you are sure this can't end which sends you to the authors web site in search of the sequel 

Sure enough this is the first in the All Souls Trilogy. The second book will be Shadow of Night and is expected in the Summer of 2012.