January 2011 Movers & Shakers
Here are the noteworthy titles that have been racing up our most popular charts this month.
(showing 1-6 of 6)
You Know When the Men Are Gone
by Siobhan Fallon (Goodreads Author)
When soldiers are deployed overseas, military spouses and children are left behind for months, even years. Army wife Fallon tells eight interconnected short stories about domestic life on the base in Fort Hood, Texas, where women face single parenting, widowhood, and the long absence of their dearest partners. Nancy says, "Siobhan has insights into human nature and the human heart that far exceed her years. She articulates with poetic beauty and honesty that cannot be counterfeit." When soldiers are deployed overseas, military spouses and children are left behind for months, even years. Army wife Fallon tells eight interconnected short stories about domestic life on the base in Fort Hood, Texas, where women face single parenting, widowhood, and the long absence of their dearest partners. Nancy says, "Siobhan has insights into human nature and the human heart that far exceed her years. She articulates with poetic beauty and honesty that cannot be counterfeit."
Dog, Inc.: The Uncanny Inside Story of Cloning Man's Best Friend
by John Woestendiek
Science fiction became reality when a pit bull named Booger became the first commercially cloned pet in 2008. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Woestendiek investigates the nascent cloning industry—the scientists, the profiteers, and the potential customers hoping to bring back beloved canine companions. Janice says, "The depth, the imagery, the characters...if all science books were written like this, we would all be science scholars!" Science fiction became reality when a pit bull named Booger became the first commercially cloned pet in 2008. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Woestendiek investigates the nascent cloning industry—the scientists, the profiteers, and the potential customers hoping to bring back beloved canine companions. Janice says, "The depth, the imagery, the characters...if all science books were written like this, we would all be science scholars!"
Left Neglected
by Lisa Genova (Goodreads Author)
Supermom Sarah Nickerson micromanages her hectic career and three children with gusto until a car accident brings her routine to an abrupt halt. Alive but with brain damage—she can't perceive anything on her left side—Sarah must rebuild a simpler life. Charlotte calls this an "intelligent novel about how it takes more than drive to successfully survive a tragedy. It takes a whole team of people to cheer us on and lift us up." Supermom Sarah Nickerson micromanages her hectic career and three children with gusto until a car accident brings her routine to an abrupt halt. Alive but with brain damage—she can't perceive anything on her left side—Sarah must rebuild a simpler life. Charlotte calls this an "intelligent novel about how it takes more than drive to successfully survive a tragedy. It takes a whole team of people to cheer us on and lift us up."
The October Killings
by Wessel Ebersohn
Abigail owes her life to Leon. Nearly 20 years ago the young soldier broke rank and spared her life during a government massacre of anti-apartheid activists (including her parents). Now someone is seeking retribution, and Leon is the next target in this South African mystery thriller. Lori says, "This is a great story with a wonderful heroine and a diabolical antagonist...a masterful thriller to the end!" Abigail owes her life to Leon. Nearly 20 years ago the young soldier broke rank and spared her life during a government massacre of anti-apartheid activists (including her parents). Now someone is seeking retribution, and Leon is the next target in this South African mystery thriller. Lori says, "This is a great story with a wonderful heroine and a diabolical antagonist...a masterful thriller to the end!"
The Memory Palace
by Mira Bartok (Goodreads Author)
This candid memoir explores the 17-year estrangement between the author and her mother, a world-class pianist named Norma Herr who descends into a pit of mental illness and becomes a homeless, paranoid schizophrenic. After suffering her own traumatic injury, Bartok finds herself ready to reconcile and forgive. Munky recommends it for "anyone who wants to learn the true meaning of empathy," and John says, "You'll see how fine the line is between gentle artistic creativity and debilitating madness." This candid memoir explores the 17-year estrangement between the author and her mother, a world-class pianist named Norma Herr who descends into a pit of mental illness and becomes a homeless, paranoid schizophrenic. After suffering her own traumatic injury, Bartok finds herself ready to reconcile and forgive. Munky recommends it for "anyone who wants to learn the true meaning of empathy," and John says, "You'll see how fine the line is between gentle artistic creativity and debilitating madness."
Across the Universe (Across the Universe, #1)
by Beth Revis (Goodreads Author)
In this young adult adventure, 17-year-old Amy is cryogenically frozen on the Godspeed, a spaceship on a 300-year-long route to a new planet. When Amy awakens 50 years too soon, she is forever isolated in time from her family and realizes that someone must have tried to kill her. Nomes calls it "brilliant" with "twists and turns and mysteries and conspiracies. The stakes are continually raised, and then something happens that you don't see coming and they are raised again." In this young adult adventure, 17-year-old Amy is cryogenically frozen on the Godspeed, a spaceship on a 300-year-long route to a new planet. When Amy awakens 50 years too soon, she is forever isolated in time from her family and realizes that someone must have tried to kill her. Nomes calls it "brilliant" with "twists and turns and mysteries and conspiracies. The stakes are continually raised, and then something happens that you don't see coming and they are raised again."
