Two brothers and their wives meet for dinner at an upscale restaurant to discuss an incident involving their two teenage sons. Serge is the front-runn...moreTwo brothers and their wives meet for dinner at an upscale restaurant to discuss an incident involving their two teenage sons. Serge is the front-running candidate for Prime Minister and quite the celebrity. Paul is our narrator. He's very critical of the pretentious eatery and his brother's airs. Everything we see is through Paul's eyes and is colored by his innermost thoughts, some quite unsettling, as the novel follows the dinner course by course. Koch has written a taut, character-driven tale with elegantly choreographed scenes full of small but potent details. He poses the questions of how protective a parent should be and how denial and ethical relativism are just a few nuanced steps away from total moral degradation. A great pick for book clubs--the discussion will be lively.
With this collection of short stories Atkinson demonstrates her skill and agility in creating tales that border on or are firmly embedded in the fanta...moreWith this collection of short stories Atkinson demonstrates her skill and agility in creating tales that border on or are firmly embedded in the fantastic (immortality, doppelgängers, dystopic futures) yet deal with the very real human concerns of love, loneliness, the need for change, and the thrill of taking risks. Atkinson displays sympathy for her characters. Her use of pathos is not mocking, yet she tinges her work with humor and some pointed social commentary. My favorite tale is about a burnt-out media critic who realizes that he has a doppelgänger who is having a much more enjoyable life than he is. The collection is bracketed by a sad, beautiful story of how two dear friends share the dwindling resources of a world about to end.
Fascinating, revolting, funny, horrifying, these tales of midwives in the slums of London’s Docklands during the 1950's and 1960's are at once repelle...moreFascinating, revolting, funny, horrifying, these tales of midwives in the slums of London’s Docklands during the 1950's and 1960's are at once repellent and rewarding. The conditions under which these compassionate and dedicated women worked and under which these slum dwellers lived are unbelievable to those of us fortunate enough to live in clean and comfortable conditions. Moments of love and joy are present but rare, though there is a lot of good humor amongst the young midwives and the nuns who are their mentors. This memoir is the basis for the PBS series of the same name.
Do you have someone new to walking in your life? Are you, perhaps, looking for a refresher course for yourself? Frazee's delightful book is chock full...moreDo you have someone new to walking in your life? Are you, perhaps, looking for a refresher course for yourself? Frazee's delightful book is chock full of good advice for everyone starting something new. For example, who can argue with this nugget: "You will need support. This is tricky because sometimes what you think will support you won't." Charming illustrations grace each page, and I promise you will fall under the spell of the main character, an almost-toddler with a seriously oversized diaper and a great deal of determination (despite one restorative melt down).
Former KGB colonel Anna Resnikov is at the center of this suspense story and held my attention as a tough woman clearly at home in a "man's" world. To...moreFormer KGB colonel Anna Resnikov is at the center of this suspense story and held my attention as a tough woman clearly at home in a "man's" world. Top American and British spy agencies kidnap her son to force her to cooperate in leading them to another key spy. Dryden designs the plot skillfully, throwing in twists and turns, with characters double-crossing and outmaneuvering each other. The author seems to have authentic knowledge about the politics of spy operations. Pretty good read. Although the ending was somewhat disappointing, I am planning on looking into more of his books.
Sad. That’s how this book made me feel: sad. As if it’s not bad enough to be a small, plain-looking, friendless, lonely middle-schooler whose parents’...moreSad. That’s how this book made me feel: sad. As if it’s not bad enough to be a small, plain-looking, friendless, lonely middle-schooler whose parents’ marriage is falling apart, whose crush’s mother is dying, whose beloved grandfather’s mind is going, the earth’s rotation is slowing and the days and nights are getting longer and longer. Then things really start to go wrong. Gravity and lives are disrupted. This is a haunting, surprisingly gentle, read.
In this latest from the Inspector Sejer series, Johnny Beskow's sole pleasures in life appear to be riding his moped, visiting his frail grandfather,...moreIn this latest from the Inspector Sejer series, Johnny Beskow's sole pleasures in life appear to be riding his moped, visiting his frail grandfather, and playing disturbing pranks on the folks in town. First, he splashed blood all over an infant asleep in a pram in her front yard. The parents rush to the ER in a panic. Thankfully, the baby was unharmed, but the couple's life was forever changed. A false obituary, a funeral home's visit to pick up the body of a terminally ill man, the cruel pranks continue They cause no physical harm but a great deal of psychological distress. Inspector Sejer fears the prankster is playing at some game and will soon up the ante. This is such an original take on classic crime writing--no murder to set things off, no big heist, no drug deals, just a very creepy teenager with a bizarre sense of fun. As usual things play out in unpredictable ways and the ending twist is brilliant. Fossum's got a hit.
In an onrushing caffeinated voice that's a mix of Joseph Heller, Don DeLillo, James Joyce and a play-by-play sportscaster, Fountain dissects the cultu...moreIn an onrushing caffeinated voice that's a mix of Joseph Heller, Don DeLillo, James Joyce and a play-by-play sportscaster, Fountain dissects the culture that gives us such diversions as the Iraq War and the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. The connections? Phony imagery, commercialism, and something deeper, something like oblivious hubris. This isn't just pulse-raising fiction. It's a deft skewering, hilarious and poignant, of a society inured to its own televised outrages. The novel's "story" covers an afternoon in the life of William Lynn, a young war hero on leave to receive his nation's accolades at a Cowboys halftime show, and possibly sign off on a movie deal. The familiar insanities will make you laugh and squirm. (Jeff B., Reader's Services)(less)
Six thousand years ago, Dor was the first man to invent time. Dor ends up in an hourglass after some tragic events and is brought to the present time...moreSix thousand years ago, Dor was the first man to invent time. Dor ends up in an hourglass after some tragic events and is brought to the present time to help two people who are on the verge of dying. Dor provides assistance to Sarah, a young depressed girl, and Victor who is a terminally ill business mogul. Will Dor be able to encourage Sarah and Victor to live longer or not? The Time Keeper is a thought-provoking and an inspirational story. (Samantha B., Adult Services)(less)
I am a big fan of the Scandinavian mystery writers. Stieg Larsson of "The Girl Who..." fame got me started. I think Nesbø is my next favorite. His Har...moreI am a big fan of the Scandinavian mystery writers. Stieg Larsson of "The Girl Who..." fame got me started. I think Nesbø is my next favorite. His Harry Hole series offers gruesome murders, lots of action, and a main character who has many self-destructive habits, a brilliant investigative mind, and a deeply held belief in the law. Nesbø's latest finds Harry returning to Oslo from the relative serenity of his expat life in Hong Kong when Oleg, son of his former lover, is the prime suspect in the murder of his best friend Gusto. Both young men had fallen prey to the drug scene, and the downward spiral of both their lives is told through flashbacks. Harry knows Oleg, who had become like a son to him, cannot have done this, but, most important, Harry wants the truth. With many enemies on both sides of the law, Harry's self imposed task puts him and those he cares for at extreme risk.
Szymborska published this 100-poem collection the year before she received the 1996 Nobel literature prize. Distilled from seven previous collections,...moreSzymborska published this 100-poem collection the year before she received the 1996 Nobel literature prize. Distilled from seven previous collections, it captures her mischievousness and curiosity, which she might say are sparked by a mischievous and curious world. Naturally some of the poems fade away but here and there are some real charmers, such as "A Tale Begun" and "Into the Ark." The translation from Polish (by Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanaugh) deserves a prize in its own right. Szymborska died last year in her native Krakow. (Jeff B., Reader's Services)(less)
You don't have to be a parent to enjoy Ayelet Waldman's The Big Nap, but if you are you'll find an extra layer of humor as new mom Juliet Applebaum st...moreYou don't have to be a parent to enjoy Ayelet Waldman's The Big Nap, but if you are you'll find an extra layer of humor as new mom Juliet Applebaum struggles to get through her days on very little sleep. Her need for a nap is what motivates Juliet to hire Fraydle, a young Hasidic woman, as a babysitter. When Fraydle vanishes after a single day on the job, Juliet decides to get to the bottom of it. Irreverent and hilarious (although much of the humor does center around child rearing and, specifically, breastfeeding), The Big Nap also contains moments of deep insight into what it means to be a good parent, a woman, and a friend. Combine that with a well-plotted mystery, and you'll be glad this quick read is part of a seven-book series. (Genevieve, Ref.)(less)
Quick, find a young child, plop them down on your lap, and get ready to have a blast reading this fantastic picture book. Consisting of primary colore...moreQuick, find a young child, plop them down on your lap, and get ready to have a blast reading this fantastic picture book. Consisting of primary colored, painted dots and simple commands such as "press here" underneath a sole yellow dot, or "five taps on the red," the dots (and probably the child, too) become involved in an ever increasingly complex and silly choreography. In all honesty, I had a blast without a child on my lap, so I can only imagine how delightful this would be with one. Warning: my colleague reported that her 3-year old grandson, "laughed and laughed and laughed", and when they finished reading it, wanted it again right away (...and again...and again).
Name something. Anything. Dental floss? OK, dental floss. Supposedly a good thing, right? Well, Nervous Nellys and Expert Worriers take heart! Accordi...moreName something. Anything. Dental floss? OK, dental floss. Supposedly a good thing, right? Well, Nervous Nellys and Expert Worriers take heart! According to this compendium of doom, dental flossing on a regular basis can subtract years from your life due to a carcinogenic coating used on most brands. Name something else and you can probably find it listed in this surprisingly cheery book. I say cheery because the authors, ably assisted by the staff of the Cassandra Institute, have undertaken to warn us about everything from abdominal cramping to zygomycosis without losing their ample senses of humor. If you hale from a long line of worriers like I do, and wish to have a truly comprehensive list of things to fret about, this is a perfect selection for you.
A feat of understated poetry, an open expression of heart, and an effective imagination of animal consciousness, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Ap...moreA feat of understated poetry, an open expression of heart, and an effective imagination of animal consciousness, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is a funny, sweet, and profound book deserving of wide readership. The winner of the 2012 Newbery Award, Ivan is the story of a laid-back, adult silverback gorilla living in a filthy cage at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, a sad, circus-themed shopping center. He has little memory of life before the human world and wiles his time in his "domain" watching TV, drawing pictures with crayons (which sell for $35 framed in the gift shop), and, when annoyed or bored, throwing his poop at the ogling humans. When he befriends a confused baby elephant named Ruby who is brought to the mall to boost lagging foot traffic, he makes a vow to break her out and return her to the wild. But how to do it? With an aloof, acerbic dog named Bob by his side (a homeless squatter who likes to sleep on his belly), Ivan hatches a plan involving finger paint, a young girl, and a whole lot of paper, one that just might work.
Written in a laconic style that slowly, invisibly untangles the reader's heart strings and touches the soul, The One and Only Ivan is a book for all ages. Inspired by a true story, it has moments of affecting George Saunders-like humor and flashbacks that will leave the reader aghast at humanity's cruel and violent foolishness towards the animal world. Though it could be accused of anthropomorphism, (as any book about talking, thinking animals could), Applegate acknowledges the fierceness of gorillas (which is part of their majesty) and creatively demonstrates what forced, unnatural isolation likely does to animals' souls. The main cast of characters are memorable sweethearts with individual eccentricities and feelings that had me pained at their miserable living conditions, stunted potential and slow physical degradation, but also happy to know them for their delightful dialogue, back stories and bright inner lives. And Bob? Halfway through the book I thought that aloof and goofy little furball was just a paper cutout tacked onto the story to advance plot and character. I wasn't at all prepared for my realization at the end that, like Ivan, I'd come to depend on and love him. He's just one example of the great care with which Applegate structured this work. Ivan is truly a complex, compassionate, and gentle giant of a book.
Our memories may be fleeting and may shift and fade with time, but they still have a powerful hold on us. Nowhere is this more true than in the latest...moreOur memories may be fleeting and may shift and fade with time, but they still have a powerful hold on us. Nowhere is this more true than in the latest novel by Booker-prize winner John Banville where past and present are interwoven. Aging actor Alexander Cleave recalls the affair he had with his best friend's mother when he was 15 in vivid and poignant detail, while his current life revolves around a new acting job, his delicate leading lady, and painful memories of the unexplained death of his daughter. Although I preferred Banville's exploration of the past and have mixed feelings about the ending, his beautiful prose and poignant story have stayed with me. (Laura, Reader's Services) (less)
Written mostly in an epistolary form, with emails and letters from characters as central as Bernadette and as peripheral as a neighbor's gardener, Whe...moreWritten mostly in an epistolary form, with emails and letters from characters as central as Bernadette and as peripheral as a neighbor's gardener, Where'd You Go, Bernadette is a hilarious and touching satire about affluence, family, and unrealized potential. Bernadette's neuroses and frustration have driven her to hire a virtual personal assistant to minimize her human interaction, but she still manages to antagonize the local "helicopter moms," including her neighbor and her Microsoft executive husband's assistant. Narration by Bernadette's resourceful teenage daughter, Bee, ties the novel together, and it's Bee's request for a family trip to Antarctica that pushes Bernadette too far. The humor takes a nosedive about two-thirds of the way through, but author Maria Semple pulls out of it for a good (if slightly contrived) ending. (Genevieve, Ref.)(less)
I don't know how the author made me care so quickly about Isaac, one of the main characters but within two pages, I hoped mightily that he would survi...moreI don't know how the author made me care so quickly about Isaac, one of the main characters but within two pages, I hoped mightily that he would survive whatever awful event was bound to befall him. Isaac is a black South African medical student forced to flee from the apartheid government and smuggled into Botswana. He feels responsible for the family left behind and finds a job as a gardener for Alice, a white American working in Botswana, unsure of where she belongs and what to do with her life. The descriptions of birds, animals, landscape, the San people, are magical but do not soften this tale of man's infinite capacity for cruelty towards his fellow man. What does soothe the pain of the story are the moments of compassion and forgiveness arising from good people. There is hope.
Stoppard's wit and craftsmanship infuse every line. This is an absorbing exploration of the differences between the Romantic and Classical temperament...moreStoppard's wit and craftsmanship infuse every line. This is an absorbing exploration of the differences between the Romantic and Classical temperaments--between feeling and thought--as well as an investigation into the connections between science and literature, all shaken and linked by the unifying disruption of sex. It's a tour-de-force that requires your share of creative work, but also makes you laugh out loud. (Jeff B., Reader's Services)(less)
Ruth Saunders dream was to create a show based on her life with her grandmother. The Next Best Thing illustrates the dramatic and moving story of Ruth...moreRuth Saunders dream was to create a show based on her life with her grandmother. The Next Best Thing illustrates the dramatic and moving story of Ruth’s Hollywood vision. In this engaging depiction of a previous television show assistant and writer getting her own chance to design her own show, she has to deal with the pressure of both the television executives and the actors. How will the process of producing her own television show change Ruth’s life? The Next Best Thing is a heartwarming and romantic tale.
What do you call a person who suffers supreme self-confidence in deciding what's best for others, especially those of marriageable age? If your name i...moreWhat do you call a person who suffers supreme self-confidence in deciding what's best for others, especially those of marriageable age? If your name is Sholem Aleichem, you call her Yenta the Matchmaker. If you're Jane Austen, you call her Emma Woodhouse. Emma is the "queen bee" of her small village society in Regency England, and due to her high status, most defer to her strong but well intentioned opinions. Most, not all. Mr. Knightly, her dear family friend and mentor, watches with growing dismay as things Emma socially engineers go awry. Along the way, Austen entertains us with fine prose, marvelous characters, and a generous dose of social commentary on class, women's roles, and romantic love.
Since there's been a bit of ballyhoo recently over the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, I thought that Austen's next most famous book* should get a little ink as well.
*Or do you put Sense and Sensibility in the number 2 slot?
Klivans is an accomplished baker and prolific cookbook author, as seen from her other works at EPL, Chocolate Cakes: 50 Great Cakes for Every Occasion...moreKlivans is an accomplished baker and prolific cookbook author, as seen from her other works at EPL, Chocolate Cakes: 50 Great Cakes for Every Occasion and 125 Cookies to Bake, Nibble, and Savor. Intrigued by the very unsubtle title, I quickly skimmed through one delicious looking recipe for oversized cookies after another. The mark of a successful cookbook author in my mind is the combination of appealing recipes, very clear explanations, and attractive photos. Big Fat Cookies hits the target, from Chocolate Chip Stuffed (!) Cookies to Big-City Black and Whites to Lemon Whoopie Pies, Klivans presents tasty treats with a friendly, enthusiastic voice. I read this as an e-book and was surprised how absorbed I became in a digital cookbook. Warning to dieters: Big Fat Cookies is for serious noshing or celebrations only! (less)
Best known for his science fiction, Ray Bradbury authored a wide range of fantasy stories (e.g. Fahrenheit 451)--and this collection alone demonstrate...moreBest known for his science fiction, Ray Bradbury authored a wide range of fantasy stories (e.g. Fahrenheit 451)--and this collection alone demonstrates that range. "The One Who Waits" is nominally set on Mars, but it's less a space travel story than a quick (7-page) distillation of our fears about what might be "out there." Most of the stories touch on mortality, but always cleverly and sometimes comically. Bradbury, born in Waukegan, died last summer after a 70-year career. (Jeff B., Reader's Services)(less)
Do you long to dig into a large dish of mac and cheese (homemade, of course)? Do you dream that some hostess will serve those wonderful piggies in a b...moreDo you long to dig into a large dish of mac and cheese (homemade, of course)? Do you dream that some hostess will serve those wonderful piggies in a blanket at the next party you attend? Were you the mom who'd whip up a tuna noodle casserole once a week to give the kids a stick-to-their ribs dinner? Were you the lucky kid who had a mom like that? If you answered yes to any one of those, you are probably going to get a kick out of this retro cookbook that offers favorites of the sixties accompanied by small portions of historic culinary lore about their origins.
The authors introduce the recipes with a treatise on the era itself: what was in fashion on our bodies and on our dining room tables (think Danish modern, skinny ties, and the first appearance of love beads), what music was on the stereo, how to mix a cocktail that Don Draper would drink, and such entertaining tips like don't forget to put out those cut crystal ashtrays (though the authors suggest they hold toothpicks instead of, well, butts and ashes). One word of caution: the luscious photos and even the recipes themselves are so evocative, almost Proustian, that this is not a book to peruse if you're even the least bit hungry.
Is Judaism (or is any religion) beneath reason, or beyond it? Sutcliffe explores this question in light of the hostility that Enlightenment philosophe...moreIs Judaism (or is any religion) beneath reason, or beyond it? Sutcliffe explores this question in light of the hostility that Enlightenment philosophers felt toward traditional, non-rational Jewish thought. Enlightenment values included Rationalism--obviously hard to reconcile with religious mysticism--but also included Tolerance. To what extent could irrationality be tolerated?
The writings of Baruch Spinoza, himself an irreligious Sephardic Jew, figure prominently, as do the anti-Semitic polemics of Voltaire. Sutcliffe's closing sentence reveals his own moderately "anti-Enlightenment" view: "The mythic resilience of Judaism ... provides a bulwark against univocal rationalist arrogance." It's fascinating to consider the implications of these centuries-old frictions in our own world of competing orthodoxies. (Jeff B., Reader's Services) (less)
Did you know never to order fish in a restaurant on a Monday? That the electric toothbrush is one of the best things to happen to dentistry? That the...moreDid you know never to order fish in a restaurant on a Monday? That the electric toothbrush is one of the best things to happen to dentistry? That the more exotic the fruit at your grocery store, the more likely it's been sitting there a long time? That your bartender has the police on speed dial? That premium gas is never worth the money? These juicy bits of advice, gleaned from a bunch of experts, are just a sampling of the great stuff you can find in this easy-to-flip-through book that's laid out in an orderly manner with each group of experts categorized by the area of your life they deal with: the home, your health, your job, and so on.
Some of this we really already know. I mean, didn't your grandma extol the wonders of vinegar as a household cleaner? Other tidbits were news to me: that good old WD-40 keeps wasps from building their nests on your house. Munson has brought us a truly useful book--it's bound to save you worry, time and maybe even money. And, while there's serious stuff in here, it's delivered with a lighthearted touch and no preaching.
Recently, I scraped the side of my car, turning too closely at the gas station. I just wanted to undo that moment, regret pulling at me, remorse filli...moreRecently, I scraped the side of my car, turning too closely at the gas station. I just wanted to undo that moment, regret pulling at me, remorse filling me. Imagine if I had hit and killed someone instead. Think of living with that regret, that remorse, wanting a miraculous do-over that will never come. The one who is carried in this intense, lyrically written, easy-flowing novel is a young girl killed in a car accident, who lives on in the memories of the driver and five passengers over the next four decades. How their guilt binds them together and colors their worlds compels this story forward. All are damaged in that moment; some survive.
Serena Frome, recent Cambridge grad, has an intense affair with an older man who is grooming her for a job with MI5. He ends the affair abruptly but s...moreSerena Frome, recent Cambridge grad, has an intense affair with an older man who is grooming her for a job with MI5. He ends the affair abruptly but still makes sure she's hired for the low-level agency job. Serena, crushed by his leaving her, finds little excitement or satisfaction in the 1970s intelligence world's treatment of women, especially young, beautiful ones. Relegated to tedious filing and typing, Serena grabs the chance to be an active field agent when MI5, in imitation of the CIA, adopts a scheme to secretly fund up-and-coming authors who seem to have a strongly capitalist or at least anti-communist messages in their work. Even though she privately thinks the mission is of little importance given that Britain is beset by IRA terrorism, miners' strikes, and oil shortages, Tom Haley, the young author she's assigned, is very attractive to her, and she unwisely begins an affair with him.
As with other McEwan works, the writing is topnotch, displaying deft skill at character development and a great depiction of an era. I didn't, however, find the plot compelling as a spy novel. There's hardly any cloak and dagger stuff, no "drops" on benches in Hyde Park, no encrypted notes found in odd places. It's really more of a love story with a clever twist than anything else. My favorite bits of this book are the plots of Tom's stories that he gives to Serena to read.
Children in war zones draw pictures that are both familiar and haunting--simple, like those drawn by typical kids, but seared by violence. The picture...moreChildren in war zones draw pictures that are both familiar and haunting--simple, like those drawn by typical kids, but seared by violence. The pictures reproduced and critiqued in this slender volume reflect worlds of heartbreak.
Geist and Carroll are board members of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, active in preserving the history of U.S. citizens who fought against General Franco's fascists in the Spanish Civil War. Chicago's own Sol Sender, grandson of the Spanish novelist Ramon Sender, designed the book. (Jeff B., Reader's Services) (less)
With the lovely prose we've come to expect from her, Barbara Kingsolver tells the story of Dellarobia Turnbow, a young housewife in a stifling marriag...moreWith the lovely prose we've come to expect from her, Barbara Kingsolver tells the story of Dellarobia Turnbow, a young housewife in a stifling marriage, living in an even-more-stifling Evangelical community in Appalachia. Dellarobia's ambitions and world outlook begin to expand when climate change (something about which her family and community are deeply skeptical) disrupts the migration of millions of monarch butterflies and deposits them in the Turnbow's mountainous backyard. The preachy tone that sometimes slips into the novel is forgivable thanks to beautiful writing, engaging characters, and a message that definitely resonates. (Genevieve, Ref.) (less)
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