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March/April 2008
March
Jane Boleyn, the True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford by Julia Fox
This is a well-written, extremely well-researched first book, describing the
life of Jane Parker, wife of George Boleyn and sister-in-law of Anne. Jane has
been falsely accused throughout the centuries, the author contends, of betraying
George and Anne, and later instigating and abetting Catherine Howard’s affair
with Thomas Culpepper. Jane’s real error was passing on to her husband a
confidence from Anne that Henry VIII had sexual difficulties, which George
revealed at his trial, thereby putting Elizabeth’s paternity in doubt. Why would
Jane betray her husband and Anne Boleyn, when it would mean the loss of her own
wealth and position at court, the author asks. When Elizabeth becomes queen, her
mother and father cannot be blamed for Anne Boleyn’s fall from grace, therefore
John Foxe, a historian, denounced Jane as “an instrument in the death of Queen
Anne,” using evidence that may have been forged, thus earning Jane her infamous
reputation.
Jane is portrayed as a strong woman, maintaining her precarious position in
Henry VIII’s volatile court, using her wits until her life and reputation are
destroyed by Catherine Howard’s sexual intrigues. – LS (AR)
In the Palace of the Snow Queen b y
Barbara Sjoholm
Inspired by her childhood fascination with Anderson’s tale of the Snow Queen,
Sjoholm travels to the far north of Sweden and Finland. The area is the
traditional land of the Sami people who, for centuries, have earned their living
by reindeer herding; a way of life now endangered by tourism. Her three winters
in Lapland chronicle the life of the Sami and the Swedes, the conflicts between
them and the changes brought about by the introduction of tourism.
Sojoholm stays in the IceHotel and describes its eerie beauty and the irony of
sitting at the IceBar downing iced vodka from glasses made of ice. She
interviews Sami artists and learns the intricacies of joik, native vocal music.
Her love of Lapland is poignantly obvious in her description of the stark,
beautiful landscape and her concern for its future. – MK (AR)
My Lobotomy
by Howard Dully
The idea of sticking an ice pick in someone’s brain to sever the two lobes is
almost too horrible to imagine, but to do it to a 12-year-old boy is beyond
belief. That is exactly what happened to Howard Dully in 1960. His stepmother
convinced his father that Howard was incorrigible and she had read about this
“new” procedure that made patients docile (when it didn’t kill them). Howard did
not become docile so he was sent away to live in mental institutions and
half-way houses until he became an adult. By some miracle he was not mentally
impaired and by mid-life he decided to find the answer to why and how this could
have happened. His journey is difficult to read and heart breaking at times. In
2005 his story was told on NPR’s All Things Considered and there was such an
outpouring by listeners that the server crashed – the only time that has ever
happened. This memoir is well worth reading. – NP (AR)
Knocked Up (movie)
Judd Apatow produced such films as Superbad, Talladega Nights, Anchorman, and
40- Year-Old Virgin, so my expectations were not very high. But much to my
surprise, this movie was funny and heartwarming. Definitely a chick flick, but
one the guys will also enjoy. Ben and Alison have a one night stand that results
in an unexpected pregnancy. The two have nothing in common, but they try to make
the relationship work for the baby’s sake. Both grow as characters through the
course of the pregnancy, and by the end of the film, you can feel that they have
a real connection with one another. - EO (AR)
Twisted b y
Laurie Halse Anderson
Anderson has a knack for portraying life in high school, like her novel Speak
from 1999, showing its heartbreak and humor in her books for teens. In Twisted,
Tyler spent the summer before his senior year bulking up, and suddenly popular
Bethany notices him. His family life is a mess, though, and his social life
hardly becomes easier with Bethany’s attention. His frame of mind spirals after
he’s accused of another crime. Twisted reminded me of I Love You, Beth Cooper by
Larry Doyle, another funny book with similar plot and scenes but less realistic
and not quite so dark. And they both reminded me of the movie Superbad. If
you’re looking for a story about a geeky guy figuring himself out while suddenly
getting the attention of the pretty girl, you have plenty of choices. – JH (AR)
The Dog Whisperer
by Cesar Millan
Ceasar Millan’s Dog Whisperer, one of the library’s 21 day DVDs, is
available in the Complete Second Season. Even if you don’t own a dog, this
interesting, direct and challenging man can give you great tips on maintaining
your “calm assertive energy” in life. It took me a while, but I have to agree
that now my dog and I walk more in tune with each other, and I have used his
principles when I deal with people, especially children in my work setting. We
carry a variety of items under his name and I highly recommend his material. He
has made me rethink many things I take for granted. Enjoy. – NC (WO)
April
Deadline
by Chris Crutcher
Ben Wolf, a senior at Trout High, has a secret. He is dying, and at 18 he has
the right to refuse treatment and not tell his family. Chris Crutcher has
returned to his town, with all the old characters, first seen in Running
Loose (2003). The book is filled with teenage angst, a trademark of the
author, including dating, high school sports drama (on and off the field), deep
family issues and child molesting. Typical of Crutcher, his characters have
enough depth to make you care, but that depth comes because he makes us look at
the tougher realities of life. This book is gripping, sensitive and thought
provoking, and because of the multiple issues, characters, and layers within
this story, it is well worth the read. Crutcher has never disappointed me yet,
and he got me to read Malcolm X. You’ll have to read the story to find
out why. – NC (WO)
Myth of You and Me
by Leah
Stewart
Cameron Wilson, 29, unemployed, finds herself at a crossroads in her life.
Before she can move forward, however, she must delve into her past. At the
request of her recently departed elderly friend/employer, she embarks on a road
trip to deliver a package to Sonia, Cameron’s estranged best friend. This
request takes Cameron on a journey, both figuratively and literally. Her journey
leads her back to the people, places and memories of her past; but it also leads
to a journey of self-discovery and growth.
Cameron tells her story in first person, mostly in flashback. As the story
unfolds, we learn how Cameron and her best friend spent their high school and
college years together, and why Cameron no longer wanted Sonia to be part of her
life. Many of the themes in this book are universal; for example, leaving old
friends behind, looking back in hindsight and wishing we would have handled
things a little differently. The best part of this book is that Cameron gets a
second chance, and it’s quite fulfilling and surprising to see how things are
resolved. Another great thing about the book is that it’s about more than just
friendship; it offers a touch of mystery and romance as well. The book is
available on CD too. – DB (WO)
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
This book is a wonderful romp of wealthy young adults in the 1900s.
Eighteen-year-old Elizabeth Holland is in love with her family’s carriage
driver, but accepts Henry Schoonmaker’s marriage proposal in order to maintain
her family’s luxurious lifestyle. Henry makes his proposal in order to appease
his father. With Henry safely married, his irresponsible nature should not
become a factor in the father’s quest to become the mayor of New York City. But,
Henry in fact falls in love with Dianna, Elizabeth’s sister, after having
already had an affair with Elizabeth’s best friend. The story is very
scandalous, but never graphic. The dialogue and attitudes may be more modern
than the real 1900s, but the story development is great! Could also be
considered a cross-over for adults who like chick-lit. – DN (WO)
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s
by John Elder Robison
John Elder Robison, a successful, happily married businessman and father,
recounts his painful journey through a tricky, friendless childhood, his
failures in high school, and the discovery of electronics where he finally found
his niche. Along the way he battled his wildly dysfunctional family, including
his crazy mother (and her even more bizarre psychiatrist) and his habitually
drunk father. Eventually, Robison found kindred spirits in the world of rock and
roll where he designed the fire spewing guitars for KISS. Before forming a
successful business of repairing high end cars, he was hired as an engineer for
Milton Bradley as a toy designer. Once labeled a “social deviant,” Robison was
finally diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of 40. Despite crushing
social difficulties, Robison has found love (twice!) and is married to a woman
he affectionately calls “Unit Two.” Be sure to read the foreword written by
Augusten Burroughs, author of Running With Scissors, who is Robison’s
brother. – KK (WO)
The Year of Wonders
by
Geraldine Brooks
This debut novel by journalist Brooks is a brilliant fusion of history and
fiction. With an intensely observant eye, high regard for period detail and
elegant prose, Brooks re-creates a year in the life of a remote British village
decimated by the bubonic plague. Inspired by the actual town known as Plague
Village because of the events of 1665-1666, Brooks tells the story from the
perspective of 18-year-old Anna Frith, a widow with two young sons. Anna works
as a maid for Vicar Michael Mompellion and his gentle wife, Elinor, who teaches
Anna to read and becomes her friend. When bubonic plague arrives in the
community, the vicar announces it is sent by God. Obeying his command, the
villagers voluntarily place their village in quarantine, cutting themselves off
from the rest of the world for an entire year. The vicar behaves nobly as he
tends his dwindling flock, and his wife and Anna use herbs to alleviate their
pain. As deaths mount, however, grief and superstition cause mob violence
against “witches” and those Anna has helped turn against her. This beautifully
written and powerful account brings history to life and creates memorable heroic
characters who face enormous moral dilemmas. I highly recommend it for book
clubs because there is so much to discuss. - LS (WO)
Hot Pots a Hot Spot
I have been to Hot Pots on four different occasions The staff there are all
young women who greet you and ask if you have ever been there before. They take
the time to explain the pricing and where the materials are located. One design
I worked on was a horse for my niece who loves horses. I painted him brown with
a darker color mane and white on his nose just like the horse she rides. I enjoy
Hot Pots, which is very relaxing. Thursday night is ladies night, when you can
bring a bottle of wine and snacks, and the ornament you pick out is half price.
- BF (PI)
January/February 2008
January
The Man Who Loved Jane Austen by Sally Smith O’Rourke
You don’t have to be a member of the Jane Austen fan club to enjoy the
romance and fun. Light enough fiction to be read at the beach or while waiting
for your flu shot, O’Rourke’s characters are vivid and interesting. From main
character Eliza Knight’s discovery in an old dressing table of what may be a
letter written by Jane Austen to Eliza’s encounter with a gentlemen claiming to
be Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice, this is a novel with enough gentle
twists and humor to keep your interest. Recommended for a tug at your romantic
side and a peek into some actual and imagined Jane Austen biography. – JP (CO)
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Historical fiction at its best, this is the story of a love affair between
Frank Lloyd Wright, who is married, and a married woman, Mamah Cheny. It is not
only a love story but a marvelous look at life in the early part of the 20th
century as well. Mamah is an intelligent, well-educated woman who is interested
in more than being a mother and a wife. She leaves her children and husband to
join Frank in Europe where she becomes involved in the feminist movement. The
book also tells the history of architecture in the United States and relates how
radical Frank’s ideas were. The ending is explosive and quite surprising. – AC
(CO)
Run by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett’s latest fictional offering is a novel of dichotomies. Rich and
poor, black and white, devout and agnostic, highly educated and just literate,
parent and child, issues abound and are explored within the context of family
ties both biological and emotional. Patchett writes of a politically connected,
wealthy, white widower who has sky-high expectations for his mostly grown
adopted African-American sons but who remains distant from his biological
prodigal son. Enter the beloved uncle/priest seemingly “blessed” with the power
to heal, a possible birth mother toting a younger half-sister and a confusing
identity switch making Run itself rather overambitious. Patchett's
strength is exploring relationships a la “Bel Canto” and she does a fine job
here. Although it suffers with too many competing storylines and a pat ending,
overall the book offers an interesting story which asks how well we can ever see
the people around us. – LH (HE)
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
It was the setting of this book which intrigued me – Bouganville? Who would
know about an island off Papua New Guinea with the world’s largest copper mine
closed down by a vicious struggle for independence? The fact it was also a Man
Booker finalist just added to its mystery. There is an odd white man in
Matilda’s village. And when the teacher leaves on the last boat the villagers
ask Mr. Watts or Pop Eye to staff their school. He is a wonderful man, very
formal and correct who introduces these kids living in a tropical paradise to
Dickens’ London with Great Expectations. What can they have in common? Changed
circumstances, for one thing. The village is under constant threat of insurgency
and isolated from the rest of the world. Pip’s change in circumstances can only
give the children heart as Mr. Watts reads to them. The adults in the village
are invited to teach the class lessons from their lives. The sense of whimsy is
overwhelming here. We hear stories about broken dreams, how a frigate bird
delivered a birthday card from a neighboring island, preserving one’s virginity,
the weaving of sleeping mats. And so the story unfolds with humor, tragedy and a
final unmasking of their teacher’s life. What a lovely read. – AM (CO)
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Perhaps you would expect a review of Twilight written by two teenage
girls to be glowing and admiring. However, we regret to inform you that this
book frightened us beyond our wildest dreams. Although filled with passages that
subtly promote tolerance of emotionally abusive relationships and stalker
tendencies, this book remains adored by naïve tweens and even some middle-aged
women.
The main character, Bella Swan, meets the achingly beautiful Edward Cullen,
and promptly falls in love with him. Never mind the fact that he watches her
while she sleeps, controls her every move, stalks her during school, and lusts
after her blood. Bella, all too willing to be manipulated, basks in the
attention Edward showers upon her. And while the book was decently written, the
perspective was that of Bella’s, whose constant whining and utter dependence on
Edward became irritating after a while.
We think this book sends the wrong message to adolescent girls who are
convinced that this (barring the vampire bit) is an accurate portrayal of
successful, loving teenage relationships. It is not the finer plot detail that
we scorn, nor Stephanie Meyer’s interpretation of the vampire, but rather
Bella’s total acceptance of Edward’s volatile personality. – EN and NS (CO)
And Never Stop Dancing: Thirty More True Things You Need to Know Now by
Gordon Livingston
Livingston, a psychiatrist in Columbia, MD, who graduated from West Point and
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and was awarded a Bronze Star for service in
Vietnam, has written a second short and very readable book of advice on how to
adjust to the inevitable problems of life and to find joy and contentment. He
writes with some humor and offers practical, useful wisdom that all could
benefit from reading. – PP (CO & HE)
The Dark River by John Twelve Hawks
This, the second book in Twelve Hawk’s trilogy, is set in a future in which
the Brethren are moving closer to their goal of knowing and controlling
everything that everyone does through the use of surveillance cameras and a vast
computer network. Opposed are a few Travelers who have the ability to move to
other realms, which are not well identified. A group of warriors called
Harlequins defend the travelers. Traveler Gabriel Corrigan, defended by
Harlequin Maya, goes in search of his Traveler father who is lost in another
realm. Former Traveler Michael Corrigan, now working with the Brethren, is also
searching for their father. Because of Maya’s love for Gabriel she solicits the
help of an elderly Jewish scholar and eventually travels to Ethiopia, finding a
way to follow Gabriel into another realm. Readers are left “hanging” so they
will surely want to read Twelve Hawks’ next book. – PP (CO & HE)
February
Thirst by Mary Oliver
Critics of Mary Oliver’s poetry use words such as “uncompromising” and speak
of her spiritual journey from poems of nature (collection, Twelve Moon,
Dream Work, etc.) to “discoveries of faith” and God. It’s all true and
more than this, in her 2006 collection Thirst. She captures the spiritual
essence of those major emotions, Love, Faith, Hope, and the dreams of life. If
you’ve never read any of Oliver’s poems, when you first start you’ll have to
decide if you think she’s a nature poet or a Christian one. I think she’s both
and has evolved to find in all the events of her life (and perhaps our own),
there must be some capital “C” creator behind all the complexities and delight
of all nature holds. From poems titles “Logan Airport” to “A Note Left on the
Door,” I think you’ll find Mary Oliver an interesting observer of the world. –
JP (CO)
Fire in the Blood by Irene Nemirovsky
Once again, we are privileged to have what was thought to be an unfinished
work published in its entirety. After the beginning pages of Fire in the
Blood (conceivably Irene’s last work) were found along with the epic novel
Suite Francaise, the remaining manuscript was later discovered among
papers given to her editor in 1942 for safe keeping. Fire in the Blood is
set in rural, pre-war Burgundy, where the paysans, or local farmers and
townspeople, try to live their lives “in peaces,” a spiritual, not political
state of well-being. Family and tradition are strong, as are distrust and
suspicion, in this insular community of small towns and countryside. Passion is
evidenced only in the young, when the blood has “fire,” when emotions are high
and thought for consequence low. Silvio, now old, spent a fiery youth traveling,
having affairs and squandering his inheritance, only to return to his hated
village to live out his days in solitude. He becomes involved in the present day
drama of his young cousin, her marriage, love affair and ultimate tragedy.
Family secrets, long buried, are ultimately revealed, the cycle beginning and
ending again – passionate youth, dispassionate maturity and old age.
Nemirovsky’s theme and characters once again are mythic in nature – birth, love,
betrayal, aging and death reflected in the passing seasons of the Burgundian
countryside. – DS (HE)
The Truth Behind the Secret, a Reasoned Response to the Runaway
Bestseller by Ames K. Walker and Bob Waldrep
Walker and Waldrep give a reasoned Christian response to The Secret.
What is the secret and where did these ideas originate? They discuss Esther
Hicks and her views of Abraham, a “collection of nonphysical entities” which
were included in an early edition of The Secret but removed from the
current edition. They quote scientists who dispute her scientific claims and
discuss the work of several 19th century new age spiritualists showing how these
works relate to Byrne’s ideas. Finally, they discuss monotheism, polytheism,
atheism, and pantheism and conclude that Byrne’s secret is not the law of
attraction but her secret is that “you are God.” – PP (CO&HE)
Wonderful Tonight by Patty Boyd
Famous model and former Beatle wife, Patty Boyd gives a surprisingly detailed
and well-written account of her life from childhood to the present. From growing
up in Kenya, Africa with unhappy parents, who came from money but had none of
their own, to moving back to England with her remarried mother and step-father,
Patty’s description of her childhood and her siblings is particularly
interesting and gives a good insight to the kind of person she grew up to be.
Spending years in boarding schools, she became independent and open to new ideas
and experiences. Working hard as a model and then marrying George Harrison, she
gives a fascinating account of life in the 60s. When she leaves George for Eric
Clapton, her own life is put on hold as she struggles with Clapton’s drug and
alcohol abuse. After years of fame and fortune as well as heartache, she settles
into a comfortable life as a photographer. Being herself and sharing good times
with her friends seems to have become the wonderful life she needs. This is a
great read for anyone who loved the Beatles and grew up in the 60s. – SF (CA)
Everyday Light Meals by Taste of Home
Beautiful full page photographs entice the reader to try these light menus.
The chicken marsala turned out as tasty and delicious as the photo in the book.
Entrees are paired with salads and tell the reader the nutrition facts. The pork
tenderloin and shepherd’s pie were good one pot choices. The indices include low
fat, low carb, as well as meatless categories. I liked the book so much I am
going to buy it. The only drawback is that it is a little taller than the usual
book. Bon Appetit! – CR (CA)
Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky
How does a new baby come to look so very different from her biological
parents? Barbara Delinsky’s Family Tree is a very readable unraveling of
that mystery that weaves in the various topics of genealogy, knitting and early
marriage relationships alongside even deeper themes of family secrets, social
class, race in America, and choices that are made in times of crisis that can
come back to haunt. There’s much to discuss in this novel of multiple threads
which are universal in situation and inspired as well by both current news and
family events. Great for book groups. For me, this was an interesting
introduction to Barbara Delinsky. – LS (CA)
November/December 2007
Beyond Reach
by Karin Slaughter
Fans of Karin Slaughter will enjoy her newest book in the Grant County
series. From the start she draws you into the intriguing lives of her main
characters, Jeffrey Tolliver and Sara Linton. If you’re an avid reader of Karin
Slaughter’s previous novels, then you know about the on-again, off-again
tumultuous relationship between Jeffrey, chief of police of Grant County, and
Sara, the medical examiner.
Their newest adventure involves exonerating one of Jeffrey’s detectives,
Lena, from a murder charge. Lena, coming from a troubled childhood, always seems
to gravitate toward dangerous and unhealthy situations. What they encounter when
they try to rescue her will keep you on the edge of your seat. Readers will not
be disappointed with their latest escapade. But be prepared for a shocking
ending! – DA (PA)
Riding with Rilke: Reflections on Motorcycles and Books
by Ted Bishop
In this rollicking memoir Ted Bishop takes a sabbatical from teaching at a
Canadian university to do research in the archives of various libraries for
articles he plans to write. Since he’s a motorcycle buff, he burns up the roads
from Canada to Texas on his new bike, commenting on the people and places along
the way. In the course of his travels we meet Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, Ezra
Pound, D.H. and T.E., Lawrence, and many other notables. Bishop describes his
journey with such enthusiasm that we experience with him the thrill of riding
and the excitement of living in the world of books. – JD (PA)
Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant
edited by Jenni Ferrari-Adler
This book is a compilation of many short biographies of writers living alone
and cooking for themselves, or in some cases, eating in various restaurants.
Since I have been living alone and cooking for myself for several years, I hoped
to find some recipes. Although in most cases the writing was good, I was
disappointed that many of the segments were about eating alone in restaurants
rather than cooking. The few recipes listed mostly contained ingredients that I
would not buy just for one meal. Also, the reasons given for cooking for one did
not coincide with my experience. I enjoy cooking for myself. Most of the writers
who did any cooking did it reluctantly. Cooking for oneself is definitely
cheaper than eating out in restaurants (even if you go “fast food”) and more
appealing then opening a can of food or eating TV dinners. However, the main
reason I cook for myself is for health reasons, and this is not even addressed.
Although I enjoyed the book, with the experiences of the various writers in
living alone, I did not get any help in improving my lifestyle. – BC (PA)
Skylark Farm by Antonia Arslan
This graceful translation from Italian, based on events drawn from the
author’s own family’s experiences, presents a story of the horrifying Anatolian
Armenian genocide of 1915. It sets a picture of a large, loving, well-off family
and its circle of friends, servants and neighbors in an idyllic setting in a
small town in central Turkey alongside graphic terror and violence. The
narrative’s multiple points of view, foreshadowing and flashbacks add a certain
necessary distance to the frightful events. The story marches along as
remorselessly as a classic Greek tragedy, and is a reminder of the many family
stories like it still very much alive in the memory of ethnic Armenians around
the world. – MM (PA)
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight
by Alexandra Fuller
Recently my book club, which often reads books I am not terribly interested
in, suggested that we read Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight. I was not
overjoyed and weighed the idea of not attending vs. reading the book and getting
the chocolate cream pie that was always served. So, the pie won, and I soon
found myself engrossed in the life of Alexandra Fuller, raised on farms in
Rhodesia during the civil war that changed her country’s name to Zimbabwe and,
in the process took, away her farmland.
This is not a story for the weak-kneed. While I worry about ants in my
kitchen, this 8-year-old battles drought, snakes, drownings and armed guards
daily. Mix that with a near silent father and an over-imbibing mother and, I
must admit, it was a pretty good read. – BS (PA)
Pick Your Poison by Leann
Sweeney
Leann Sweeney’s debut of the Yellow Rose Mystery series begins by introducing
us to Abby Rose, an idle Texas heiress sitting by her pool sipping iced tea. She
and her twin sister Kate, adopted as infants, are trying to recover from the
unexpected death of their father Charlie Rose. Abby is approached by their
yardman Ben with a mysterious request to talk to the sisters that evening.
Unfortunately, they never have the chance as, later that same day, Abby finds
him dead in their greenhouse. When Ben’s death is declared a murder, Abby feels
the police are not doing enough to find his killer. She decides to use her
considerable computer skills to gather information about Ben. She does not
realize that some of the information she uncovers is part of her past, a past
some other people would rather keep hidden. Everyone from her ex-husband to the
sexy police detective warns her to let the police handle the investigation.
Posing as other people, telling lies and getting into trouble are all part of
getting the information she needs to solve the case. Mystery fans will enjoy
getting to know this new sleuth. – NS (PA)
OpenTable.com A Web site
For diners and travelers (especially within the U.S.), OpenTable.com is a
free service which provides a fast, easy and convenient way to make your next
dinner reservations. This Web site includes over 7,000 restaurants with 24-hour
access (Baltimore is listed as having about 12, but the number is growing
monthly). All you need to do is to select the restaurant that fits within your
budget, date, time and location of your table, and your search results reflect
“real time” availability which are immediately recorded by the computer
maitre’d!
Once you submit your reservation request, you will receive an e-mail
confirmation. An added feature of the site is, if you are having guests attend,
OpenTable.com allows you to send an e-invitation stating the particulars of your
reservation. Bonus points are awarded to frequent users of the Web site, which
can be used to take money off your dining tab! Making restaurant reservations
online has never been so easy. – MM
(PA)
September/October
September
The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein
Imagine a place where a street is divided by an invisible wall.
Bernstein takes you to just such a place in this new book. Taking place in a
British mill town during the mid-20th century with WWI in the background, the
book is about the relationship between the Jews and Christians on opposite sides
of the same street in town. Life is conscribed by your family’s faith with few
crossovers.
Early in the book, a relationship between a young Christian and Jew ends due to
the friction between the families. However, later in the book, another couple
takes the risk and continues in the relationship. The cost is great – the young
Jewish woman must bear being cut off from her family of origin. Her mother
grieves for her as if she has died since she marries a goy or Christian.
In the end, however, the wall between the communities falls down with the birth
of a child. Both the Christian and Jewish sides of the family inquire about the
initiation of the child into their respective religions. The parents decide that
neither religion will be followed, but a party celebrating the child’s life will
be held with the community. The party takes place on the street where the
mother, father and their families lived. The celebration of this new life
literally breaks down the wall between the two communities with both the Jewish
and Christian sides celebrating in the street together.
This is a good read for those interested in history and places and/or cultures
other than their own. – KM (PI)
The
Merlot Murders: A Wine Country Mystery
by Ellen Crosby
Lucie Montgomery returns to her family’s vineyard in Virginia
after she receives a phone call from her brother Eli, telling her that their
father has died in a hunting accident. Lucie, who has been living in France for
the two years since her accident that left her with a limp, returns to find that
the vineyard is collapsing under huge debt, her brother has turned into a
materialistic jerk who wants to sell the vineyard, and her younger sister is
dating her ex. When Fitz, Lucie’s godfather, is found dead, Lucie is certain
that her father’s death was not caused by a mere hunting accident. As the lone
holdout in the sale of the vineyard, Lucie realizes that she is in danger. The
mystery is interspersed with historical details and the mechanics of wine making
in Virginia. This is the first in an exciting well-written series.- – BA (PI)
A
Walk in the Woods
by Bill Bryson
Over the years my family and I have enjoyed taking short hikes
along the Appalachian Trail. This is probably part of the reason I was drawn to
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. He takes you along on an adventure
you won’t soon forget! If you’re looking for a funny, enjoyable read, this is
the book for you. At Perry Hall, this book can usually be found on the Staff
Recommends shelf.
– KW (PE)
They Dance in the Sky: Native American Star Myths
by Jean Guard Monroe and Ray A. Williamson
This nonfiction book is a collection of Native American skylore:
stories and myths relating to the arrangements of the constellations that appear
throughout the year. By observing the positions of the stars, Native Americans
developed a highly practical stellar calendar by which they planted, harvested
and passed down legends from generation to generation. This book is a good read
for anyone interested in constellation patterns and the folklore that surrounds
them. – BW (PE)
October
The “God Wink” books
When God winks : how the power of coincidence guides your life
and
When God winks at you : how God speaks directly to you through the power of
coincidence
by Squire Rushnell
Squire Rushnell defines a “God wink” as “a personal signal or message, directly
from a higher power, usually, but not always, in the form of a coincidence.”
BCPL owns two books by Rushnell telling how God uses coincidence in our lives to
guide and reassure us. The first is When God Winks: How the Power of Coincidence
Guides Your Life. The second is When God Winks at You: How God Speaks Directly
to You Through the Power of Coincidence. Both share real people’s stories of
coincidental events fostering or renewing their faith that God cares and shows
it. Rushnell challenges us to look back at the crossroads of our lives and look
for the “God winks.” If we accept his challenge, he asserts “you’ll be surprised
and heartened to see the coincidences that have been with you at every step of
your way.” – R F (PE)
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz
Isabel “Izzy” Spellman is a private investigator. She comes from a long line
of investigators and works for her parents’ PI firm. Surveillance and background
checks are so ingrained in the family that they even keep tabs on each other. In
fact, the book begins with Izzy being stalked in a parking garage. This quickly
becomes a high speed car chase as she tries to lose the person tailing her. When
she realizes that she can’t shake the other vehicle, she screeches to a halt and
confronts the occupants. “Mom. Dad. This has to stop.” Buckle up for a fun read!
– R F (PE)
Shaun of the Dead (2004): A Film
Can a film about flesh-hungry undead be funny? Yes, and poignant, too.
Shaun is a slacker with no ambition to improve his life until the day his
girlfriend, Liz, breaks up with him and zombies begin to eat people. Forced into
an unlikely leadership role, and with the “help” of childhood friend Ed, Shaun
decides to win Liz back by rescuing her (and his mum) and hide out the
Winchester Pub. Sounds like a plan, but there are a few thousand zombies and 99
minutes of hilarity between here and there. But I did say poignant, too. Without
giving away major plot lines, let’s just say that Shaun has to make some
dreadful choices involving loved-ones that may have been turned into the walking
dead themselves.
Shaun of the Dead offers excellent examples of the foreshadowing device in
cinema – I urge viewers to watch it twice to fully drink in the irony. That’s a
great excuse to watch a zombie movie if I ever heard one. Besides, how often do
you get to watch a Comedy/Horror/Romance in one sitting? – KW (PE)
Last Enemy by Grace Brophy
After her mother’s death, Rita Minelli sells the family home in Brooklyn and
relocates to her mother’s home town of Assisi, Italy. Her aristocratic
relatives, the Casatis, are not very welcoming. When Rita turns up murdered in
the family tomb during Holy Week, the Casatis don’t let it disrupt their lives.
Commissario Alessandro Cenni, sure that one of the Casatis is the murderer,
finds himself delving into a deeply dysfunctional family. The interplay of
Italian politics, art, society and a strong sense of the ancient city of Assisi
make this first book by Brophy a winner. Brophy intends this to be the first in
a series featuring Commissario Cenni. – SS (PE)
Will Storr vs. the Supernatural by Will Storr
British journalist Will Storr puts his investigative skills to the test in
this witty, engaging nonfiction book about life, death and what happens next. A
skeptic, Storr visits everywhere from a rural Pennsylvania town, where a woman
claims to be possessed, to British manors filled with ghostly history in his
quest for answers. Along the way he meets a wide variety of interesting people,
scrutinizes real and staged hauntings and analyzes our feelings about the after
life. This is a book for skeptics and believers alike. – KW (PE)
Freddy and Frederika by Mark Helprin
The Prince and Princess of Wales are in trouble. Bad press and inappropriate
behavior have thrown their ascension to the throne into question. Freddy, while
scholarly, consistently makes obscure and inappropriate jokes. Frederika cares
more about her clothes and magazines than maintaining the royal image. Called in
to reprimand them is the royal family’s own modern-day Merlin, Mr. Neil, who
promptly sets them on a quest to recover their dignity and thereby recover their
claim to the crown: reclaim the colonies. Before they know it, the Prince and
Princess find themselves parachuting into New Jersey, clothesless and penniless,
and ready to face the new American frontier.
From a high-speed chase down the New Jersey turnpike on a motorcycle to
teaching themselves dentistry in the Midwest, Freddy and Frederika discover
America and what it really means to be royal. Comedic and romantic, Mark Helprin
deftly merges slap-stick humor with eloquent imagery and potent philosophies.
This book is a masterpiece, as it reveals the grandeur overlooked in our
everyday world. – SM (AO-Marketing)
July/August
Him Her Him Again the End of Him by Patricia Marx
The unnamed sharp and self-deprecating narrator recounts her obsessive
10-year affair with her graduate school lover, who is attending Cambridge on a
grant for “Ego Studies.” Immediately taking the reader into her confidence, it
is quickly apparent that Eugene is a colossal jerk, as her friends repeatedly
chorus. Unable to finish her dissertation, she moves to New York and is fired
from a series of ridiculous jobs, and she once again takes up with Eugene, now
an analyst, who has moved back to the states with a hypochondriac wife and their
son, Perseus. Years pass, and when the narrator can no longer ignore the
evidence of his serial philandering, she calls it quits – but only after Eugene
comes to a fitting (and hilarious) end.
This is pseudo-intellectual humorous chick lit of the highest order. Anyone who
has ever loved irrationally will partly identify with this self-aware,
delusional-yet-believable everywoman. Three appendices follow the conclusion and
extend the fiercely funny tone of this laugh-out-loud funny first novel. – JB
(PI)
Instant Love by Jami Attenberg
Instant Love is a novel that reads like a dozen short stories. The
characters that are introduced in the first story may not reappear until 100
pages later, or you may meet someone’s sister and learn about her life. Similar
in style to Daniel Handler’s Adverbs, Attenberg’s novel details the
varying degrees of love – becoming infatuated, falling in, falling out, and
realizing that love might live up to your highest expectations … or then again,
it may not. The reader meets three main women – a stuttering teen Sarah Lee,
whose social awkwardness allows only a passing obsession with a boy whom she
barely meets; Holly, whose boyfriend is stolen by her high school best friend
and pharmacy coworker; and Maggie, who settles in with plain Robert and once, in
desperation, reveals secrets of her lost youth to him. Several points of view
are presented, along with different relationships for each woman, giving a
blatantly honest account of how love fits into and sometimes completely consumes
our lives. Extremely realistic, never dull, and often quite funny, readers will
identify with Attenberg’s characters and circumstances. – EN (PI)
My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student by
Rebekah Nathan
Nathan (pseudonym), a university professor, wonders why her students
fail to come to class (and bring meals when they do), ignore reading
assignments, and neglect to visit during office hours. She decides that the only
way to bridge the teacher-student divide is to become a freshman at her school.
Enrolling at her large university, she is able to shrug the professor persona
and connect with students. Nathan lives in the dorms and documents the undergrad
way of life. Ultimately she discovers important trends in contemporary student
life and how the fragmentation of individual schedules and interests causes the
breakdown of the academic community. Written in the tone of a sociological
study, Nathan’s book provides an interesting look at university life. – EN (PI)
The Beasts of Clawstone Castle by Eva Ibbotson
Madlyn and her brother Rollo are sent to stay with their great aunt and
uncle at crumbling Clawstone Castle when their parents must spend the summer
away. The weekend tours of Clawstone no longer draw any visitors since the
businessman next door has stocked his new castle with more enticing relics, and
the old folks are frantic to find the funds to support the family’s hereditary
responsibility: the noble Wild White Cattle of Clawstone Park. Madlyn has a
brilliant idea. By enlisting the help of Cousin Howard, the presence on the
third floor, the children audition a cast of resident ghosts to add some
flamboyant chills to the tour. Her plan is a wild success and the serene future
of the cattle is assured, that is, until a pair of mysterious government
veterinarians show up, determined that the cattle have contracted a dreaded
disease and must be destroyed, and load them onto a truck and drive off. Weeks
later, however, the cattle are sighted, and with the help of the ghosts, the
children set off to find them and bring them home.
Bound to appeal to readers of Collins’ Gregor the Overlander and Sage’s
Septimus Heap series, Ibbotson’s combination of realistic and eccentric
characters, light magic, gross details, and humor make this (and any of
Ibbotson’s novels for children ages 10-14) a good choice for young Harry Potter
fans. – JB (PI)
Germ: If You Breathe It Will Find You by Robert Liparulo
Looking for a thriller to give someone who likes James Patterson, Harlan
Coben or Lisa Gardner? Germ will not disappoint. Imagine a strain of the
ebola virus so deadly it can liquefy your inner organs. Now imagine the same
strand of the virus that is coded with DNA so it can seek out and infect only an
intended target. To everyone else, it is just the common cold. Julia Matheson,
working both for the CDC and the FBI gets involved in stopping the germ, in a
world where assassination is the name of the game and your very life is
threatened at every turn. Definitely a page turner!
– DB (PI)
Angel's Rest by Charles Davis
Eleven-year-old Charlie York lives in the shadow of Angel's Rest, a mountain
in the Virginia Alleghenies. Charlie's bucolic existence is shattered the day
his father is killed by a shot gun blast and his mother is arrested for murder.
Charlie wants to believe it was an accident like his mother keeps telling him,
but something is not right and he has to figure out what it is. Lacy Coe, an
older black man, has taken on the responsibility of looking out for Charlie.
Lacy uses his stories to help Charlie understand the hate and fear that fills
the townsfolk of Sunnyside. The story leads Charlie out of childhood and to an
understanding of true courage. – NP (PI)
May/June
Digging to America by Anne Tyler
(Audiobook)
This wonderful story of two families, the Yazdans from Iran and the
Donaldsons of Baltimore, both meet at the airport to welcome their adopted baby
daughters from Korea. This novel really clarifies the difficulties immigrants
face, both emotional and practical. Blair Brown the narrator does a wonderful
job with accents of the Yazdans, changing subtly to reflect the amount of time
each member has been in the U.S. I enjoyed reading this book and Blair’s
narration had me laughing out loud! – by CE
(RA)
Blood Memory by Greg Iles
(Audiobook)
This exciting, atmospheric story set in Natchez, New Orleans, features Cat
Ferry, a forensic dentist, hired to find a serial killer who leaves bite marks
on his victims. This is one of the author’s best novels with its haunting
descriptions of landscape and Cat’s troubled past. Joyce Bean, the narrator,
does a superb job with the accents of men and women. – by CE
(RA)
Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
(Audiobook)
This is another immigrant’s tale. The protagonist Gogol Ganoli takes his name
from the Russian author whose story, “The Overcoat,” is the reason for Gogol’s
fathers survival! This wonderful story of an Indian’s family assimilation into
England’s culture is made even more meaningful by Sarita Choudhury’s thoughtful
narration. – by CE (RA)
A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon
(Audiobook)
This hilarious tale of class and sexual conflict features the depressive
George Hall who mistakes a skin lesion for terminal cancer. The narrator Simon
Vance is capable of wonderful regional and different class accents and had me
groaning with laughter! – by CE
(RA)
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
As an admirer of Lowry’s fantasies for children, I looked forward to her new
one. The theme is dream-givers – spirits that can bestow new good dreams and
relieve the pain of unhappy memories in disturbed people. (I felt that these
dream-givers were not too effectively realized.) The newest spirit is Gossamer,
who is assigned a troubled 8-year-old boy in foster care because of child abuse
by his drunken father. Through the care of Gossamer and in his new, kind foster
home, he eventually grows stronger. His mother, abused herself, is rehabilitated
and gets him back.
Unfortunately the graphic descriptions of child abuse disturbed me. Perhaps
because it related too much to actual news stories we often read. I suggest
reading this before recommending it to a child seeking a fantasy. (And you don’t
even want to know about the Sinisteed – the dream-givers who cross over to “the
dark side” and bring horrible nightmares.) – by CG
(RA)
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
The 2006 Newbery Award winner concerns, Lucky, a 10- year-old girl living in
the desert town of Hard Pan, California (population 42). After her mother dies
from an electrical storm, her absentee father calls upon his ex-wife Brigitte to
come from France to take care of Lucky. One of Lucky’s favorite pastimes is to
entertain herself by eavesdropping at AA meetings at the Found Object Wind Chime
Museum and Visitor Center. Her best friend Lincoln ties intricate knots, and the
little boy down the road craves attention by asking everyone to read his
favorite picture book to him. Lucky has a backpack filled with survival objects
in case Brigitte returns to France. She also depends on her canine friend HMS
Beagle for companionship.
Although this book has attracted much media attention because of the author’s
use of a particular word, this story has great depth. The author covers themes
of grief, love and friendship with her fascinating characters and beautiful
descriptive settings. –
by NF (RA)
Pieces of Georgia by Jen Bryant
Pieces of Georgia by Jen Bryant is a treasure you will discover in the
young adult area of the library. Georgia is a teenager and an artist. Her mother
is dead and her father is caught up in grief. Her counselor at school realizes
that Georgia doesn’t like to talk. She gives Georgia a leather bound journal so
she can talk to her mother in writing and ask the question she would ask if her
mother were alive.
Through this journal, we meet Georgia, her dad and her best friend Tiffany.
We visit Brandywine Art Museum and its Wyeths, we watch Georgia grow and develop
as a person, adding layers like a fine painting, and we see her reach out to her
father in the end so that the story can go on. It is a moving coming of age
story. I recommend it highly. – RR
(RA)
Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
(Audiobook)
The Jane Austen Book Club is about six women and one man who meet once
a month to discuss their favorite Jane Austen novel. Originally conceived by one
character to comfort her friend during her divorce, the book club becomes more
than a discussion of Austen’s novels. In each chapter we learn more about the
members of the book club. Their stories are clearly woven together to build the
book. Austen fans will see the parallels between the modern day real lives and
themes and events of the novels they read. As read by Kimberly Schaff, the
characters come alive. Her voice changes with each character and she is able to
give just the right emotional tone to each scene. E-audiobook format is very
convenient, no discs or tapes to change, and I felt the sound quality was
excellent. – by SK (RA)
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