what I'm reading: The Monsters of Templeton

Hi, and happy Sunday!

I hope you're having a wonderfully relaxing, restorative weekend.

Today I'd like to share a book that I'm reading.

I picked up The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff at a library book sale last week, and to be perfectly honest... I chose it entirely because of the beautiful cut-paper art and typography on the book jacket.  I literally judged this book by its cover.  It wasn't an entirely inaccurate method of assessment in this case, though.  The story, like the book cover, has a fantasy mood but takes place in a more modern setting.

it's a normal-sized book,  the cup of tea is just very big.

I'm only about a third of the way through The Monsters of Templeton.  I'm really enjoying it so far.  The entire book is written in first-person, despite the fact that it bounces around between viewpoints of different characters spanning centuries.  There are fantasy elements such as a literal monster (I don't think that counts as a spoiler-- it's mentioned in the first sentence of the book), but because of the casual tone of the writing, it doesn't read like a fantasy novel.  It's an interesting juxtaposition of different genres and writing techniques, all working together to create a compelling narrative.  I like a lot of exposition in books-- I want to know the backstory of who everyone is, I like to know the history of where the story takes place, and I like to see the interaction even between minor characters.  I think it makes for a more complete context for the main characters and shows that they don't exist in a vacuum, even if they are the major focus.  The Monsters of Templeton supplies plenty of back-story about the town of Templeton (which is actually Cooperstown, New York), and has enough references to actual history that the whole thing seems feasible-- even the monster.

I'll let you know if my opinion changes when I've finished the book, but at this point, I'd definitely recommend it.

What are you reading lately?  I'm always looking for new book recommendations!

♥