The City of Ember (Books of Ember)

One way to get through reading a lot of books is to read so-called "youth" targeted fiction. I've read a few this year, and they have been good stories, even if they don't require large vocabularies and a lot of time. City of Ember is no exception. The people of Ember live in a dark world, and rely on an increasingly cranky generator powered by a river to keep their lights going. When the lights go out, they are enveloped in complete darkness. Luckily, the "Builders" have an escape plan, but the problem is that few know about it, and no one can find it. And when someone does, it is quickly gummed by an exuberant toddler (boy, can I relate to that!), obscuring the instructions. The characters are fairly one-dimensional, but it's an entertaining story and a quick read (for adults anyway). There is youth fiction beyond Harry Potter.

About the only bad thing I can say about this book is that I now feel obligated to read its sequel, People of Sparks, so that I can finish the story. But that will come later. Next up is The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue.