Love to Read!!!

I am an avid reader. I've never found a genre that I haven't read. There are types that I enjoy more than others, and I'll go through phases of only reading specific genres, such as fantasy or sci-fi. At this moment I am reading FOUR separate books that span four genres. This does not include the reading I do for school.

Last week, I finished reading the book "Wicked", Gregory Maguire's take on the back story of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wizard of Oz). I am quite impressed that he was able to change the perspective, and still tie the story-lines together as well as he did.

The 'tone of the times' in Oz would remind many of the end of Europe's Middle Ages. He has it that Elphaba, later known as the Witch of the West, was born with a horrible skin disorder that includes a severe allergic reaction to water. The political situations throughout the land of Oz dictates how she is raised. When sent to school to further her education, she meets Galinda, who is from a northern district of Oz, and they, along with Elphaba's sister are recruited to be part of the political intrigue that is rampant in the whole of the country. This is where we get the Witches of North, West, and East from the original story.

There is some very intense moments, funny antidotes, and sarcastic humor that keeps the story moving. I am not usually one to get obsessed with a story, but I finished it in two days, then reread it, so that I could completely 'get' it. I'll be starting Maguire's second book of this storyline, "Son of a Witch" next week, when I can get it from my sister. I think that it will be just as well written and enjoyable as this one and I'm looking forward to reading it.