The Sally Lockhart Trilogy by Philip Pullman

If you like mystery novels then this trilogy is definitely for you! I just happened upon the Sally Lockhart Trilogy by chance at a Barnes and Noble. I thought it looked interesting, the story line sounded good, and I needed something new to read so why not. I did not realize what I was getting myself into. I was hooked from the very first chapter in the first book all the way through the third book!
In the first book, The Ruby in the Smoke, we meet a 16 year old Sally Lockhart who's world has been turned upside down by the death of her beloved father. Although the story is set in Victorian England, we find that Sally is in no way a typical young girl that you would expect to find during that era. Sally is extremely intelligent and well educated. The death of her father is the catalyst that begins the unfolding of a huge mystery that spans three novels.
Philip Pullman does an excellent job of keeping the read in suspense with every chapter. Trust me when I say you will get hooked! This trilogy is a must read for mystery buffs. I've read the trilogy two or three times already!Every time I go back, I pick up on a something new. The tell tell sign of a good mystery novel, every time you pick up the book you discover something new that you did not see the previous time.

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

This was such a good book. Last year I had set out to read as many of the classics I could, especially the ones that were set in Victorian times. I just love the Victorian era novels!
When I first started reading this book, I was not convinced that I was going to like it. It moved a little slow for me in the beginning, but it was able to hold my attention and I am glad it did. The story revolves around a young girl named Molly. There are so many lessons we could all learn from Molly when it comes to sacrificing ones own wants and desires for someone else's happiness. Molly is truly a selfless individual who puts others before herself.
Molly's world is taken on a roller coaster ride when her father decides to remarry in order to provide a mother for his only daughter. Molly welcomes a new mother and a sister into her life, and everything changes. This is a story about self sacrifice, patience, innocence, coming of age, and love all rolled into one. I really enjoyed reading this book. The ending is a little abrupt as the author, Elizabeth Gaskell, passed away before completing the story. However, you can tell the direction she was heading with the story line. For anyone who enjoys reading Victorian era novels this is a must read.