I had John Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things sitting on my nightstand for weeks. I kept renewing it, because even though I wanted to read it, I was just never in the mood. Finally, the other day I was just hanging around, so I picked it up and plunged in. What a treat! Set in WWII England, the story follows David, a 12-year-old who has just lost his mother. While still reeling from her death, he finds out that his father is remarrying and his soon-to-be stepmother is pregnant. Suddenly David finds himself living in a large country house, with only his stepmother and new brother to keep him company. He grows more and more distant from his family, losing himself in the dark, disturbing fairy tales that line the walls of his new room.

And that’s when the Crooked Man appears.

Suddenly, David’s world changes violently. He is pulled into a dangerous alternate universe, populated by terrifying creatures and ruled by a helpless king. It soon becomes clear that David must find the king and the mysterious Book of Lost Things if he is ever to return home. Thus David embarks on a quest, his every move tracked by the evil and dangerous Crooked Man. But there’s more at stake on this quest than even David realizes, and only by completing his journey can David come to terms with his new life and finally begin the process of growing up.