February 2012 Movers & Shakers
Here are the noteworthy titles that have been racing up our most popular charts this month.
(showing 1-6 of 6)
No One is Here Except All of Us
by Ramona Ausubel (Goodreads Author)
As war advances toward an isolated Romanian village, its nine Jewish families reimagine their lives—redistributing spouses and jobs with the magical hope that rewriting their histories will protect them from the violence of 1939 Europe. Their experiment works until—inevitably—the outside world finds them. Miss GP says, "It's a bit fantastic and a bit like a fairy tale...Her writing is absolutely heart-achingly beautiful." As war advances toward an isolated Romanian village, its nine Jewish families reimagine their lives—redistributing spouses and jobs with the magical hope that rewriting their histories will protect them from the violence of 1939 Europe. Their experiment works until—inevitably—the outside world finds them. Miss GP says, "It's a bit fantastic and a bit like a fairy tale...Her writing is absolutely heart-achingly beautiful."
The Conundrum
by David Owen (Goodreads Author)
The more efficient we get—hybrid cars, solar panels, green lifestyles—the more and more we consume. New Yorker writer Owen exposes sustainability's greedy little secret in this troubling environmental call to arms. Esther says the book takes "a no-nonsense approach to serious problems we are continuing to create...Thank you, David Owen, for stating what needs to be said." The more efficient we get—hybrid cars, solar panels, green lifestyles—the more and more we consume. New Yorker writer Owen exposes sustainability's greedy little secret in this troubling environmental call to arms. Esther says the book takes "a no-nonsense approach to serious problems we are continuing to create...Thank you, David Owen, for stating what needs to be said."
Defending Jacob
by William Landay (Goodreads Author)
When a teen is found stabbed to death, assistant district attorney Andy Barber is shocked to discover that his 14-year-old son, Jacob, is accused. As the murder trial proceeds and their family falls to pieces, Andy races to protect his son and discover the truth in this legal thriller. Melanie says the book "had me frantically turning pages. The ending left me breathless, and I am still thinking about this book. It is that good!" When a teen is found stabbed to death, assistant district attorney Andy Barber is shocked to discover that his 14-year-old son, Jacob, is accused. As the murder trial proceeds and their family falls to pieces, Andy races to protect his son and discover the truth in this legal thriller. Melanie says the book "had me frantically turning pages. The ending left me breathless, and I am still thinking about this book. It is that good!"
Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile
by Julia Fox
This dual biography by historian Julia Fox charts the unexpected lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana of Castile, the two spirited royal daughters of Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. The sisters marry ambitiously to bolster Spain's political power, but both unions lead to betrayal. Carol says the book "shows how historical nonfiction should be done. Julia Fox is truly talented...This is history done with excellence." This dual biography by historian Julia Fox charts the unexpected lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana of Castile, the two spirited royal daughters of Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. The sisters marry ambitiously to bolster Spain's political power, but both unions lead to betrayal. Carol says the book "shows how historical nonfiction should be done. Julia Fox is truly talented...This is history done with excellence."
A Good American
by Alex George (Goodreads Author)
A grandson narrates the story of how his immigrant ancestors planted roots in this fictional family saga colored with jazz and small-town charm. His grandparents voyage from Germany to New Orleans in 1904 and weather Prohibition, the Great Depression, and other extraordinary markers of the 20th century. Laura says, "This elegy to the rites of forging a new life in a new land traces father to son in a rich stew of food and music and love." A grandson narrates the story of how his immigrant ancestors planted roots in this fictional family saga colored with jazz and small-town charm. His grandparents voyage from Germany to New Orleans in 1904 and weather Prohibition, the Great Depression, and other extraordinary markers of the 20th century. Laura says, "This elegy to the rites of forging a new life in a new land traces father to son in a rich stew of food and music and love."
Incarnate (Newsoul, #1)
by Jodi Meadows (Goodreads Author)
In this utopian young adult novel, all souls are reincarnated with their memories from previous lifetimes intact. But Ana, a "nosoul," is the alarming exception. She seeks answers to her condition in the city of Heart and faces her future—which may mean only living once. Goodreads Author Kathleen Peacock says, "Incarnate deserves to be placed alongside His Dark Materials and The Lord of the Rings as one of the most inventive examples of world building ever set to paper." In this utopian young adult novel, all souls are reincarnated with their memories from previous lifetimes intact. But Ana, a "nosoul," is the alarming exception. She seeks answers to her condition in the city of Heart and faces her future—which may mean only living once. Goodreads Author Kathleen Peacock says, "Incarnate deserves to be placed alongside His Dark Materials and The Lord of the Rings as one of the most inventive examples of world building ever set to paper."
