The Lace Reader, by Brunonia Barry

"My name is Towner Whitney. No, that's not exactly true. My real first name is Sophya. Never believe me. I lie all the time." 

- excerpted from The Lace Reader 

You know those books you just devour? You start them at the beginning of the weekend and stay up late to finish them by Sunday night? The Lace Reader (2006, Harper) was one of those kinds of books for me. It was high time, too, because lately I haven't found a lot of books that I can't put down.

I'm not sure exactly why I loved this book so much. I think it has to do with the surprise ending, and the fact that the novel begins with the narrator admitting she's a liar. That always keeps me on the edge of my seat.

The book is divided into several different sections (my favorite format), and each is narrated in a different way or by a different person. I was caught off guard when one section that had been told entirely in the first person was suddenly followed by a section told in third person, enough so that I turned the pages back to double check. It was interesting, though. I liked it.

The story revolves around a family of "lace readers" that live in Salem. The women in this family are able to see the future in the lace that they sew. When two people in the town suddenly disappear, the town is thrown into mayhem and we go along for the ride as Towner (the main narrator) begins to piece together her own life and history, one that is filled with secrets.

I've told you before, I'm terrible at summarizing a good plot without giving things away, so vague as that is, I'll stop there. I'm bringing this book highly recommended to my next book club to share. It won't change your life, but it'll take you on a good trip.