So I finished Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, and immediately passed it on to my wife to read. One of the most talked about books of the fall, and I can see why. The book is crafted, not just written. As I read each chapter, I felt as though I was exploring a perfect little shadow box. Each chapter led to a new room, newly crafted, full of perfect little ideas. It was immensely satisfying.

Although noted as a story of a magical duel between the proteges of two master magicians, the protagonists figure out that it’s less a duel than siege warfare. How much can one person endure before he or she breaks. And thus, the winner…

I can see why Hollywood immediately grabbed the rights to it, as the novel is full of very evocative images. Black and white and red is a bold color palette for the circus, and many of the magical attractions created in the form of circus tents would lend themselves to Hollywood imagery.

Definitely in the run for my favorite book of 2011.