Thursday and Dodos and Books, Oh My!

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Thursday Next is a renowned Special Operative for the Literary Detective division. She polices books, making sure the characters behave themselves and seeing to it that everyone is (literally) on the same page. Thanks to the miracle of cloning she has a pet dodo named Pickwick. Her father time travels. Her good friend is a vampire. And someone has kidnapped Jane Eyre...

This book fits no one category. It's science fiction, chick lit, detective novel...I could keep going. First and foremost, it is so much fun. "The Eyre Affair" is packed with so many literary references you can't possibly catch them all the first time. People are named Millon D. Floss and Jack Schitt. A meeting is held up because they're 'waiting for Godot.'You get the picture.

In order to keep "Jane Eyre" from being ruined forever, Thursday must travel through famous works and try to find the kidnapper. Even the ending is great, and I'm not a fan of the way many books end, not even my favorites.It made me believe there are still original ideas out there. And oh, yeah, kittens, it turned into a series, and each book is better than the last.

Highly recommended for well-read smartypants, science fiction fans and people seeking something new and refreshing. Bet my dodo you'll love it.