"The Shadow of the Wind is a novel for booklovers about booklovers—and the bookstores and libraries where they dwell." ~Pete

While preparing for a recent visit to Barcelona, Spain, one of the travel books I skimmed suggested reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. The novel is about a young man growing up in Barcelona whose father takes him to a library of forgotten books, encouraging him to pick just one. The boy blindly grabs a book called  'The Shadow of the Wind' and loves it so much he nearly memorizes each page. But getting another copy proves difficult because a mysterious man in black is burning every copy he can get his hands on, which means the boy's copy is also in peril. Another mystery concerns the author of the book, Julian Carax, who apparently died just as the Spanish Civil War was beginning to erupt. The boy decides to try to solve the mystery of Carax and his book, and uncovers secrets upon secrets that lead to incredible adventures all within the great city of Barcelona.

The Shadow of the Wind is a novel for booklovers about booklovers—and the bookstores and libraries where they dwell. My copy even had maps in the back where all these exciting events took place. If you're going to Barcelona, and even if you're not, I strongly recommend The Shadow of the Wind. Get a copy and hold on tight. There may be someone lurking about who is very interested in what you're reading.

--Pete