January 2012 Movers & Shakers
Here are the noteworthy titles that have been racing up our most popular charts this month.
(showing 1-6 of 6)
American Dervish: A Novel
by Ayad Akhtar
Little Hayat Shah is in love. He may be a preteen, but his feelings for his mother's best friend, Mina, are palpable. This fictional family drama covers teen angst and issues of faith through the childhood of a Muslim Pakistani American growing up in the 1980s Midwest. Laura says, "Words are inadequate when it comes to rating this heartfelt novel. Beyond anything I have ever read before, Akhtar's warmth shines through each carefully chosen word of this superbly written piece of art." Little Hayat Shah is in love. He may be a preteen, but his feelings for his mother's best friend, Mina, are palpable. This fictional family drama covers teen angst and issues of faith through the childhood of a Muslim Pakistani American growing up in the 1980s Midwest. Laura says, "Words are inadequate when it comes to rating this heartfelt novel. Beyond anything I have ever read before, Akhtar's warmth shines through each carefully chosen word of this superbly written piece of art."
My rating:
Situations Matter: Understanding How Context Transforms Your World
by Sam Sommers (Goodreads Author)
Would you help an unconscious passenger on a crowded train? Many people wouldn't. Psychology professor Sommers claims that personality is overrated and context is paramount in his new nonfiction work of behavioral science; our choices are driven by each situation, not necessarily by our character. John says, "So many situations highlighted in the book are things we've all experienced, and failed. Entertaining and informative, a great read." Would you help an unconscious passenger on a crowded train? Many people wouldn't. Psychology professor Sommers claims that personality is overrated and context is paramount in his new nonfiction work of behavioral science; our choices are driven by each situation, not necessarily by our character. John says, "So many situations highlighted in the book are things we've all experienced, and failed. Entertaining and informative, a great read."
My rating:
The Crown
by Nancy Bilyeau (Goodreads Author)
Joanna Stafford, a young nun, leaves the safety of her priory so she can save her father's life in this historical novel set in 1537 England during the Reformation. Joanna embarks on a mission that takes her from London to Stonehenge and beyond to find a long-lost crown at the behest of the corrupt Bishop of Winchester. Jessicabranch says it "combines the depth of emotional and physical detail of a Charlotte Brontë classic with the fast pace and plot turns of a Dan Brown page-turner." Joanna Stafford, a young nun, leaves the safety of her priory so she can save her father's life in this historical novel set in 1537 England during the Reformation. Joanna embarks on a mission that takes her from London to Stonehenge and beyond to find a long-lost crown at the behest of the corrupt Bishop of Winchester. Jessicabranch says it "combines the depth of emotional and physical detail of a Charlotte Brontë classic with the fast pace and plot turns of a Dan Brown page-turner."
My rating:
The Flame Alphabet
by Ben Marcus (Goodreads Author)
The sound of children's speech becomes toxic to adults in this literary, surrealist nightmare that strips its characters of the power to communicate. Panic mounts and parents go into hiding as the lethal epidemic spreads, but one man scrambles to save his family, even as his daughter's words slowly kill him and his wife. Jessica says, "One of the most unnerving and moving books in recent memory. Every page is studded with shimmering, unforgettable prose, and it will make you completely rethink how you ...more The sound of children's speech becomes toxic to adults in this literary, surrealist nightmare that strips its characters of the power to communicate. Panic mounts and parents go into hiding as the lethal epidemic spreads, but one man scrambles to save his family, even as his daughter's words slowly kill him and his wife. Jessica says, "One of the most unnerving and moving books in recent memory. Every page is studded with shimmering, unforgettable prose, and it will make you completely rethink how you interpret and value language. A must-read."
My rating:
Elizabeth The Queen: The Life Of A Modern Monarch
by Sally Bedell Smith (Goodreads Author)
Queen at age 25, the world's most famous woman has weathered the demands of the Commonwealth throne for 60 years, all with her signature humility. This thoroughly researched biography offers details both public and private, from her uncle's surprise abdication to her children's rocky marriages. Marci B says, "Right from the beginning the story sucks you into the intriguing world of the British monarchy. Romances, family life, politics, scandal, this book has it all!" Queen at age 25, the world's most famous woman has weathered the demands of the Commonwealth throne for 60 years, all with her signature humility. This thoroughly researched biography offers details both public and private, from her uncle's surprise abdication to her children's rocky marriages. Marci B says, "Right from the beginning the story sucks you into the intriguing world of the British monarchy. Romances, family life, politics, scandal, this book has it all!"
My rating:
The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
Four years ago 16-year-old Hazel faced a death sentence: Stage IV thyroid cancer. Now tethered to an oxygen tank and chock-full of chemo, she wonders how long her miracle remission will last and who the cute new guy is in her dreary cancer support group in this young adult novel. Mrs. Nelson's Bookshop calls Hazel "funny, snarky, and real. Teens and adults won't be able to put down this gut-wrenching but fulfilling novel!" Four years ago 16-year-old Hazel faced a death sentence: Stage IV thyroid cancer. Now tethered to an oxygen tank and chock-full of chemo, she wonders how long her miracle remission will last and who the cute new guy is in her dreary cancer support group in this young adult novel. Mrs. Nelson's Bookshop calls Hazel "funny, snarky, and real. Teens and adults won't be able to put down this gut-wrenching but fulfilling novel!"
My rating:
