Every year around this time a magazine  - or ten - provides its readership with the books to read this Summer.  In an effort to prove that I read something other than Entertainment Weekly, although not often, I decided to print the list provided by another fine entertainment magazine - Time.  The article aptly titled 5 Fantastic First Novels sets out, umm, 5 fantastic first novels, or so Lev Grossman of Time thinks. The list goes like this:

1. In The Shadow Of The Law by Kermit Roosevelt - Let’s forget this poor bugger’s unfortunate first name for a second and concentrate on the work.  This is a legal thriller.  Lev says: "There are suspenseful, devious plots aplenty…"  Not often does one see the word "aplenty" these days so that sounds interesting.  Lev goes on to say: "…Roosevelt (a descendant of Theodore and a former Supreme Court clerk) writes about the law more passionately and entertainingly than anyone since Scott Turow."  See, now, Lev had me hooked right up until the part about Scott Turow.  Turow’s last few books have been as interesting as watching toenails grow so now I’m thinking Lev has lost his way.
2. Fashion Victim by Sam Baker - Sam is actually a she - a fact I can confirm having seen the photo accompanying the article.  Definitely female.  She is also an editor of Britain’s Cosmopolitan which, of course, means Lev feels compelled to mix in a little demeaning attitude with his cheeky comments.  For example when describing Baker: "…she knows whereof she writes - and she actually writes well."  Followed by my favorite line:  "By the end of Fashion Victim, you may even believe that models have feelings."  I’m sure that has a lot to do with the plot about a serious investigative journalist working at a women’s magazine in the middle of a whodunit. Lev, Lev, Lev…
3. The Twins Of Tribeca by Rachel Pine - Pine worked at Miramax at one time.  This "thinly veiled" book is about a woman working for a fictional movie studio.  I’m sure that’s only a coincidence.  The nicest thing Lev has to say on this one is: "The plot is gossamer thin, but the dirt is deep, dark and delicious."  Almost makes you wonder if Lev forgot the title of this article when he picked this one, huh?
4. The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks - Another strange name but at least this one is hidden in the middle.  Okay, I have to admit that I’ve read the description of this book 4 times and still have no idea what this is about.  None.  The ending quote in the blurb says:  "Of course, this is all completely nuts - but it’s also the stuff that first-rate high-tech paranoid-schizophrenic thrillers are made of."  Well, that cleared it right up.  Thanks, Lev.
5. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - Finally, a book I’ve actually heard of - good job, Lev.  This is a story about an academic investigating and uncovering the original Dracula.  It’s described as: "a smart, bibliographic mystery in the same vein (sorry) as A.S. Byatt’s Possession - but without all that poetry."  I liked Possession but generally hate anything vampire-oriented so I’m skeptical.

Strange but Lev didn’t mention my book.  I figure he’s limited to current releases and will come calling in the Spring.  Right, Lev?

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