Today, or tonight, really, as it’s growing late, I’m trying my hand at the challenge from My Overstuffed Shelves. The idea is to pair a book with another book or movie or meal, etc.

I’m all about books, so two books it is. I tried to avoid obvious choices such as The Language of Flowers with White Oleander (aside from the horticultural influence, both novels deal with a teen’s struggle in the foster care system). Or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time with House Rules (two quite different examinations of an autistic teen and his place in the family and community).

Instead:

 +  = reading bliss

What I settled on was Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman with The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood. First, I love both books. Second, the writers’ voices make me want to hang up my pencil. They are that good. Gaiman and Atwood write with delicious irony and humor and rich language. In particular, what made me pair them are their nods to mythology and fairy tale tropes. As you read both novels, images of Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Rapunzel and many more stories will dance in your head. And yet each author brings a unique spin to all allusions. Yum.

Please check them out and let me know what you think. Have you read either of these novels? Did you love them as much as I did?