I like where they're coming from. They're talking about why we do stuff, and how you don't have to do something big to glorify God. I hope they take it further :)

A true Gothic Tale.....The intricately woven story takes you along on a young boy’s quest to learn more about the author of a mysterious book. Zafon tells a totally captivating and exhilarating tale full of amazing, full-bodied characters and hair-raising moments. This is one of those “can’t-put-the-book-down reads”. Loved It!

This international novel (it has sold in more than 20 countries and been number one on the Spanish best-seller list), newly translated into English, has books and storytelling--and a single, physical book- as its topic. In post-World War II Barcelona, young Daniel is taken by his bookseller father to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a sanctuary where books are guarded from oblivion. Told to choose one book to protect, he selects The Shadow of the Wind, by Julian Carax. He reads it, loves it, and soon learns it is both very valuable and very much in danger because someone is determinedly burning every copy of every book written by Carax It is full of unusual characters, and strong in its sense of place. Daniel's initiation into the mysteries of adulthood is given the same weight as the mystery of the book-burner. Part detective story, part boy's adventure, part romance, fantasy, and gothic horror, the plot is urged on by foreshadowing and nail-nibbling tension, with a surprising outcome.

This book is writing at its best, even with such a dark subject matter. I would read this author again and again....

A friend raved about it. I read about a third of it, but didn't get into it. Wasn't a book I couldn't put down. Decided to stop reading.

This book was really awesome! I loved reading it, and I will probably have to re-read it at some point because I was interrupted by midterms and a busy schedule. I think Zafon writes really well, though I think that something is lost reading the book in translation(originally written in Spanish). For instance, sometimes the descriptions seemed a bit melodramatic or contrived. This book combines elements of magical realism with fantasy to create a very interesting novel about Spain during the Civil War and one boy's quest to find out the secret behind a mysterious author whose books keep being burned by a "fiery figure." The book was very honest especially about matters of friendship and love-not at all sentimental. I also thought Zafon's characterization was superb especially that of Fermin and Nuria Monfort. The only problem I had with the book was that it mostly "lived in the past." There was not much action in the present and much of it was uncovering the past. I suppose this was necessary given the plot but it still seemed a little it like a "sitting and thinking" book where the main characters sit around and talk or think about the past rather than action happening in the present. All in all, I recommend this book for those that are looking for something different, something mysterious and enjoy a bit of magic between the pages.

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Just finished reading the Golden Compass. The beginning was slow, the middle got interesting, and the end was full of total win. Started working on the Subtle Knife. Wa-hoo.

The Dark Materials trilogy is probably the grittiest, most imaginative and robust children's fantasy literature I have ever read. I was captivated with the sophistcated themes, complex characters and fantastically creative new ideas.

The book dares to have a child protagonist with human frailties. It also dares to put a real sense of danger in the adventure, something most children's literature is afraid to do.

Undoubtedly one of my favorite books ever.

LOVED the first chapter, but sort of lost the feel towards the middle....