An Unexpected Find

Discovering new books and authors has to be one of my favorite things.  I always keep an eye out, or an ear as the case may be, for names that are new to me.  Sometimes, it's a bit like following a bread crumb trail.  Like reading Neil Gaiman's post last week in which he mentioned visiting Diana Wynne Jones and linked to fellow author Robin McKinley's post about the affair.  Naturally, I clicked in all the right places and was feeling like I must be living under a rock.  I get that feeling often enough--a feeling of wonder that I have never encountered this author or this book before.  But it doesn't last because it is swiftly replaced by anticipation. 

If you look up Diana Wynne Jones, you will see she has a very large volume of work.  Delightful!  Just look at all the fun entertaining fantasy to be enjoyed.  I started with a short story collection because they are the perfect way to become familiar with an author.  I chose Unexpected Magic. 

My favorite story so far, and I am about halfway finished, is The Plague of Peacocks.  I need a Daniel Emanuel sometimes!  The Plague of Peacocks is a story in which busybodies get their comeuppance.  If you have well-intentioned, annoying busybodies in your life, you will certainly appreciate this story.  And the four year old Daniel Emanuel is hard to resist.