Book of the Week: The Night Circus

I have a girl crush on my librarian. Several months ago, I chatted with one of the cute girls who works at our local library about a book I was just returning. We found quite a bit to say about the book, and discovered we had been reading many of the same works. It is so exciting to find someone who reads what you read; it's as though you speak the same secret, magical foreign language. Well, before I could properly ask her name and introduce myself (never mind that she has my info up on the computer screen while she's checking my books out for me), a line of patrons formed behind me and we said a hasty goodbye. 

On subsequent library visits, I surprised myself by hoping she'd be working so that we  couldtalk again. I even mentioned to my husband how nice it would be if we became friends. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a chance to talk again. We would say hello to each other briefly, as she assisted other patrons, but we never managed to both be free at the same time. One awkward encounter I'll supply: I approached the desk to check out a book (timing it perfectly to arrive there as she was finishing with someone else) and just as she turned to me, the other librarian stepped in to take care of me. She (the should-be-my-friend girl) stood next to this other librarian, then said hi. I mentioned I had a book on hold. She got it off the shelf as the other librarian looked up my name, then turned to find it on the shelf and they nearly ran into each other. As the librarian was checking my book out, the girl smiled at me, I tried to think of a way to start a conversation over the librarian's shoulder, and then she just shrugged her shoulders and turned away to help someone else. My husband witnessed all of this and laughed all the way home. He thinks I must have been twenty times more nervous and crazy about courting him if I put this much thought into making a new friend. But I can just tell, we would be really great friends!

Anyway, I dashed to library before flying to Ottawa for work last week and guess who was working at the desk with no other patrons floating around needing help?? The girl, that's who. I returned my book and got all flustered, wishing I wasn't wearing sweatpants and one of Nick's big shirts. I started to walk to the shelves to browse and then turned back to her and asked if she had any recommendations. We talked for a bit about what kind of book I was looking for and then her face lit up and she ran to the back and came out with a novel in hand. I thanked her for the book, and introduced myself, and learned her name. All of this background story to tell you: I read a delightful story this week, thanks to my librarian friend's recommendation. It is called The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. 

(Aside--How cool is it that her surname is also the surname of the fictional author of The Princess Bride?? I was immediately intrigued.)

So, you shouldn't read this book unless you're looking for a story that will whisk you away to a mysterious, enchanting world dripping with romance, conflict, and imaginative magic. I walked around dreamy-eyed, thinking about the fantastical while I worked this week. This is the story of two magicians, for lack of a better word, pitted against each other in a battle of abilities--the ability to manipulate matter, to change the colors of a dress, grow a garden of ice crystals, bewitch umbrellas to truly repel rain. With such powers, they create beautiful experiences of wonder for their friends and circus guests. Devastatingly, they discover that there can and must be only one victor in this competition. In order to survive, one must destroy the other. 

I can't tell you anymore--go discover it for yourselves! It isn't too far-fetched and magicky. It's accessible magic in a believably unbelievable early 1900's world. Trust me, and trust my new librarian friend: this is a feel-good book that is perfect for Spring Break, pool-side, or on snuggled up in bed. 

Inspired by the book, I am toying with the idea of planning a midnight feast this summer for some friends. Sparkly strands of lights and decadent dishes just for fun, with a Night Circus decor theme. Yes, yes, yes.