Every so often, there’s a book that makes me stay up reading despite the fact that I’m very tired. Every Day, by David Levithan, was one of those book...moreEvery so often, there’s a book that makes me stay up reading despite the fact that I’m very tired. Every Day, by David Levithan, was one of those books. It’s a young adult novel about A, who wakes up each morning in a different body living a different life. A’s life has always been this way and it (A considers itself genderless) has always tried to not screw up the host’s life that day. That is until it spends a day in Justin’s body and falls in love with his girlfriend, Rhiannon. After that fateful meeting, A uses its host bodies to try and get back to her. They start a relationship, but the problems of A’s existence eventually catch up with them.
For some reason, my mind focuses on the bad things about this book–it gets a bit preachy, Rhiannon is underdeveloped and the ending is kind of creepy. But I still really liked it. Maybe it’s the concept itself that I like so much. I also really sympathized with A, because it couldn’t have any lasting relationships. So, I wanted it all to work out between A and Rhiannon. Anyway, I recommend Every Day to anyone who thinks the basic concept sounds interesting.(less)
Alice and her parents spend a week in February every year at a beach cottage on Sanibel Island, Florida, where they celebrate her birthday. This year...moreAlice and her parents spend a week in February every year at a beach cottage on Sanibel Island, Florida, where they celebrate her birthday. This year Alice turns ten and is excited about seeing all the familiar people in the nearby cabins, what kind of party she will have, and if this will be the year she finally finds a rare junonia shell on the beach. However, some of the usual visitors to the island can’t come and one nearby cottage becomes the retreat for a friend of Alice’s mother, Kate, her boyfriend, Ted, and his six-year-old daughter, Mallory. Alice is a bit jealous of the attention given to younger girl who is having her own issues and acting like a brat and spoiling all the fun. Henkes writes quiet, introspective novels for kids, and this book is no exception. However, I’ve been to Sanibel Island and collected shells there so the setting was wonderfully familiar to me. The author, who is best known for his delightful picture books, drew illustrations of some Florida shells along with their names and that is a nice addition. And 3-5 grade readers will relate to Alice who is an only child wanting things to stay the same….(less)
Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland is the delightful fictionalized story of Clara Driscoll and the years she worked with Louis Comfort Tiffany at...moreClara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland is the delightful fictionalized story of Clara Driscoll and the years she worked with Louis Comfort Tiffany at his New York studio. Clara Discoll was the head of the Tiffany Women’s Division and possibly the person who conceived the idea for the iconic Tiffany stained glass lamps.
According to Susan Vreeland, Clara Driscoll’s story came to life through letters she wrote to her mother and sisters:
“By a remarkable coincidence, three individuals unknown to each other, a distant relative of Clara Driscoll, a Tiffany scholar, and an archivist at the Queens Historical Society, each aware of only one collection of Clara’s letters, brought the correspondence to the attention of two art historians steeped in the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany, Martin Eidelberg and Nina Gray. Astonishingly, they were informed of two treasure troves of letters within just a few days of each other in 2005–one collection owned by Kelso House Museum in Kent, Ohio and housed at Kent State University Library, the other owned by the Queens Historical Society.”
From these letters comes a remarkable story about a woman who forged her way in New York City at the turn of the twentieth century. Clara struggles with being a professional woman at a time when women’s rights in the workplace were not recognized as well as her personal desire for her work to be recognized and attributed to her. Clara’s story unfolds with the backdrop of New York City life, the plight of new immigrants, the evolution of the decorative arts at Tiffany Studios on the heels of the Arts and Crafts Movement and her personal desire for love and companionship.
Susan Vreeland creates a wonderful, compelling story that makes me want to head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or other places where Tiffany’s work is displayed in order to see the beautiful creations that Clara poured her heart and soul into designing and creating. I listened to the book and Kimberly Farr’s narration was excellent. ~~Enjoy~~ --Kara
The husband and wife team of Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead have created a delightful picture book that won the Caldecott Award for its illustratio...moreThe husband and wife team of Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead have created a delightful picture book that won the Caldecott Award for its illustrations. Philip wrote the sweet text and Erin won the prestigious award for her artwork done in woodblock printing and pencil. This is the first book she has ever illustrated so look for more picture books by her in the future. The story is about the zookeeper, Amos McGee, who has to stay home one day because he’s got a cold. At the City Zoo he usually would play chess with the elephant, run races with the tortoise, sit quietly with the penguin, lend a handkerchief to the rhinoceros, and read stories to the owl. In quid pro quo fashion the animals decide to go to the zookeeper’s house and help him feel better. Elephant plays a game of chess with Amos, the tortoise plays hide-and-seek with him, the penguin takes a nap and keeps Amos’s feet warm, the rhino provides a handkerchief when Amos needs to sneeze, and owl pours a cup of tea and reads a story aloud before turning out the light. The story has a nostalgic feel and is very endearing. This is a great choice for a gift (especially for a child who is sick) and I can’t wait to use it in storytimes at the library and at preschools doing outreach visits out in the community. Congratulations to the author/illustrator for a wonderful picture book that will be loved for many years to come. --Katherine
When a scientific expedition in South America is attacked by vampire bats, you get a pretty good idea where this book is headed. When the army tries t...moreWhen a scientific expedition in South America is attacked by vampire bats, you get a pretty good idea where this book is headed. When the army tries to militarize vampirism, you know it will end badly. Six year old Amy gets snatched from a convent to become the next test subject, because the army needs a child, and Amy’s as anonymous as they get. Amy’s kinda weird before the vampirization process, having already caused a riot at the zoo, among the animals.
Amy survives the ensuing vampire holocaust, which wipes out all but a handful of humans, who survive in well-lit walled compounds, powered by failing batteries. A hundred years later, Amy shows up at one of those outposts, and a few people decide to return her to Colorado, in hopes the army, which created her, can save them.
Writer’s Workshop alum Justin Cronin takes his time, showing events, but only explaining them, obliquely at that, hundreds of pages later. He goes thru lots of characters, and multiple points of view. The Passage is the first of a trilogy, which is probably years from completion. I’ll be waiting. --John
Boys in grades 5-8 will especially like this adventure story, inspired by a true adventure on the high seas, about a 14 year-old Japanese boy, Manjiro...moreBoys in grades 5-8 will especially like this adventure story, inspired by a true adventure on the high seas, about a 14 year-old Japanese boy, Manjiro, who wants to become a samurai. The setting begins in 1841 when he and four friends are rescued on an island off Japan by an American whaling ship. Over the next ten years he travels to many faraway places. He becomes an expert whaler and deals with much prejudice on board ship and on land. Manjiro learns a new language and comes to understand that the Americans are not so barbaric after all. Befriended by Captain Whitfield, Manjiro is treated like a son back in Bedford, Massachusetts. The reader will enjoy hearing about various adventures as Manjiro grows into manhood, but will Manjiro ever get to return to his homeland and see his mother again? First time author Preus has done a lot of research in preparation for telling this story. She includes a glossary of words, an epilogue talking about the real Manjiro (or John Mung) character and his life, including details about his later life promoting friendship and understanding between the two nations of Japan and the United States. Also included are further background information and a bibliography and suggested reading. Many of the original drawings by the real Japanese boy thought to be the first Japanese person to set foot in America are included throughout the book. A Newbery Honor Award book, this is first class historical fiction for adolescents. --Katherine
For me, the most memorable parts of Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a coming-of-age novel set in the tenements of Brooklyn, involve food. When...moreFor me, the most memorable parts of Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a coming-of-age novel set in the tenements of Brooklyn, involve food. When I think about that book, my mind jumps to the scenes when Francie Nolan buys half-priced stale bread from the bread factory wagons or when Francie’s mother tells her how to get the butcher to supply them with fresh ground beef. Food was important. The good times for Francie’s parents are described when they both had steady jobs and were able to eat roast beef with noodles.
I often thought about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn while reading 97 Orchard by Jane Ziegelman. 97 Orchard describes the food cultures of five different immigrant groups that resided in a tenement located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan: the Germans, Irish, German Jews, Russian-Lithuanian Jews, and Italians.
Ziegelman provides details on the staples of each group’s cuisine, the history and recipes of important dishes (such as gefilte fish), and how the food was received in the United States. For the most part, their food was not accepted. Those involved in the settlement houses tried very hard to move immigrant groups away from their food culture by adopting an American diet. The food of Southern Italians was deemed unwholesome because it contained too many vegetables. Thankfully, the Italians weren’t too keen on American cuisine and actually spent a great deal of their money on importing ingredients from Italy.
If you are interested in food or history, I highly recommend 97 Orchard. It is “as good as bread.” --Anne
Truth be told, I’m not really. I enjoy the “joy of cooking”. Other than when working until 7 p.m. And coming home to find my nearest and dearest wasti...moreTruth be told, I’m not really. I enjoy the “joy of cooking”. Other than when working until 7 p.m. And coming home to find my nearest and dearest wasting away, wondering if dinner will be on his plate in five minutes. Even then, I enjoy the act of preparing a meal to be shared. Though, in fact, it may end up being salad in a bag with take out pizza (as always, thank you Pagliai’s!)
But for those who don’t enjoy the act, have picky eaters to feed, or simply have more to do than cooking a five course meal from scratch each day allows, there’s a great new book at ICPL. The Crabby Cook Cookbook, by Jessica Harper, is a compendium of “almost effortless” recipes and plenty of survival tips from a writer who is a born storyteller. In fact, Harper is a movie actress (anyone remember the cult movies The Phantom of the Paradise or Suspira?) She’s also a children’s musician and author, and a wickedly funny lady. Her sense of humor and clear expertise in the kitchen shine throughout the book, making it a fun read whether you’re standing in the kitchen or not. And the recipes sound both tasty and easy to make!
Here are just a few of the storytelling recipes she shares with readers: the Hell of Lasagna; the Famous Tuna Melt of ’96; the Killer Cheese Ball; Pain-in-the-Ass Minestrone; Dog-Proof Caprese Salad; and, Criminal Coconut Cake.
Jessica Harper isn’t just fun to read though. She also has a website called, not surprisingly, The Crabby Cook. There you can find more kitchen survival ideas and tips plus some hilarious video clips. Take a look at Harper’s sly and clever approach to cooking for a ladies book group:
There are so many wonderful things to say about this book … where do I begin? 25-year-old Julie Jacobs has made a habit of avoiding big decisions in h...moreThere are so many wonderful things to say about this book … where do I begin? 25-year-old Julie Jacobs has made a habit of avoiding big decisions in her life mostly because of the animosity she feels for her twin sister Janice. Julie is heartbroken when her Aunt Rose, the person who raised her, dies. She is more devastated when she learns that Aunt Rose left her entire estate to Janice except for a key to a mysterious lock box in Sienna, Italy and a cryptic story about family treasures.
Julie sets out to find her fortune in Italy; however, she also finds that others are looking for the treasure and her life is at risk. Julie discovers that she is descended from Giulietta Tolomei who inspired generations of stories and poetry as Juliet in the Romeo and Juliet stories. Julie also learns that ancient superstitions and vendettas are still a part of modern-day Sienna life. While some want her to find the treasure, others thwart her efforts for fear of reviving ancient curses. She also realizes Romeo may hold the key to the mystery and the prize – but where is Romeo?
Anne Fortier created a wonderful story full of mystery, suspense, love, family secrets, and self-discovery. The characters are well developed, there are many plot twists, and she creates a wonderful sense of place with the backdrop of famous places in Siena including Piazza del Campo, Piazza dei Salimbeni, and the Fountain of Fontebranda.
I listened to the first 3/4 of the story and Cassandra Campbell’s narration is fabulous. I was impatient to finish (I had to know what happened) so I read the last 1/4 of the book in one sitting. I was in Sienna about seven years ago and this book makes me want to go back, walk the ancient streets, visit the museums, and enjoy the beautiful Tuscan views. This book is highly recommended. ~~Enjoy~~ --Kara
The legend is this: Mark Twain suppressed his own autobiography for a century, as it contained opinions so savage that even his descendants would suff...moreThe legend is this: Mark Twain suppressed his own autobiography for a century, as it contained opinions so savage that even his descendants would suffer for them. As it turns out, we’re mostly we’re talking about avoiding run-of the-mill libel suits, and we already knew of his gift for invective.
The book puts people off with its bulk, but the actual text only runs about 400 pages, the rest being reference notes, prefaces and so forth. More problematic is Twain’s approach to autobiography. Having made some attempts before, he settled on the idea of simply dictating what was on his mind to a stenographer, mixing current affairs with reminiscence. The modern reader then, is faced with the choice of skimming over the ancient current events, or digging into the references, making an already long book interminable. Worse, what survives seems to be a first draft, complete with “I think that was in 1854. No, 1853. 1854, I’m certain now,” type ditherings.
Still, there’s some good stuff here. My favorite parts were Twain’s memories of being a boy in Hannibal, and I bet you know why. He also quotes from a biography his daughter wrote about him when she was a girl, and amplifies her facts. On balance, I’m looking forward to volume 2. --John
If you thought you were familiar with the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales, think again. With the belief that children like their stories with the messy bi...moreIf you thought you were familiar with the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales, think again. With the belief that children like their stories with the messy bits left in, teacher and debut author Adam Gidwitz pulls eight tales into one fractured fairy tale starring Hansel and Gretel minus the sugar coating. Deciding early on that their parents are doing a pretty poor job of parenting, they set off to find their way in the world (a reasonable conclusion since their father chopped their heads off). In each adventure, the brother and sister run into adults who will not or cannot protect them from the evils of the world. When called upon to use their own wits and empathy, Hansel and Gretel overcome numerous obstacles (some of their own making) and save a kingdom. Not too shabby.
The narrator has plenty to say himself. Sometimes too much, but overall he does a nice job adding the humour to this grisly tale. The narrator variously entices and warns his readers. The characters’ illogical choices and moral shortcomings are pointed out, their heroism applauded and readers are reminded to hurry younger children off to bed so they can settle down to enjoy the awesomeness… “the horrible, bloody kind.”
When you’ve finished A Tale Dark and Grimm, be sure to look up some Grimm collections such as The Brothers Grimm: Popular Folk Tales and Grimms’ Tales for Young and Old to compare. --Andrea
Deep Nature is a beautiful book. The Scraths, Robert and Linda, have captured Iowa at its smallest and most exquisite. The book opens with an moving e...moreDeep Nature is a beautiful book. The Scraths, Robert and Linda, have captured Iowa at its smallest and most exquisite. The book opens with an moving essay by ecologist John Pearson and then follows with seventy-five amazing photographs – photographs that seem so real you find yourself, or at least I did, reaching out and touching the page.
The photographs are of plants, animals and insects you may have never seen or seen and not realized they were there. There are photos of orchids and frogs, spiders and grasshoppers and butterflies. I have been lucky enough to attend a book lecture and signing by the Scarths at Prairie Lights. They shared with a rapt audience their method and showed photographs that weren’t included in the book.
Deep Nature is a magical book. It is a University of Iowa Press title and is just one of the many fine books the press has published in the last year. It is book to own and cherish and would make the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates Iowa, nature or photography. --Maeve
I always enjoy when the newest installment in Patrick Taylor’s “Ballybucklebo” (also called “Irish Country”) series is released. Set in the fictional...moreI always enjoy when the newest installment in Patrick Taylor’s “Ballybucklebo” (also called “Irish Country”) series is released. Set in the fictional Northern Ireland Ulster town of Ballybucklebo in 1965, country doctors Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly and Barry Laverty are fully immersed in the daily activities of the charming town. From horse swindlers, to bacterial meningitis, to saving a the undertaker from choking, their days are full of adventure.
When Laverty is jilted by the love of his life he reexamines his commitment to stay in the small town. O’Reilly sets out to convince him that he can establish a meaningful life there. Although I thought the storyline around Laverty’s broken heart drug on more that I cared for (ok … he was a bit of a whiner), I thoroughly enjoyed being transported to Ireland through the pages of this book.
I love listening to Patrick Taylor’s books on disc. John Keating narrates most of the recordings and his voice is wonderful! Listening makes you feel like you are in Northern Ireland. I find myself wanting to slip into an Ulster dialect and use words like, “Bugger, “Banjaxed,” and “Eejit.” So jigs and reels, get away on with you! Call the cows home and take a listen. You’ll be glad you did. ~Enjoy~ --Kara
I’m just about finished reading The Art Detective: Fakes, Frauds and Finds, and the Search for Lost Treasures by Philip Mould. The author is the host...moreI’m just about finished reading The Art Detective: Fakes, Frauds and Finds, and the Search for Lost Treasures by Philip Mould. The author is the host of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, and also runs a showroom in London that specializes in British portraiture, among other things. Throughout his career, he’s had many encounters with obvious works of art; somewhat more interesting to the general public, however, are the times when he’s found a hidden gem, a carefully disguised fake, or an outright amazing piece of art in an unusual location. He recounts several of these in his book, in quick but detailed and thorough chapters that make for some nice, very interesting reading.
Two of my favorites: the middle-aged American collector (hoarder might be a better term) who has a hundreds of items stored pretty haphazardly in an unused church, one of which happens to be a work by Hogarth; and a full portrait of Queen Elizabeth (the first one, that is) that, once several layers of “repair” paint are removed, reveals itself to have been painted before she was made Queen, which is very rare indeed. In addition to the works of art, Mould profiles some of the individuals engaged in the various processes related to his work: buyers, researchers, restorers, experts, etc.
Of course, he also talks a bit about himself and his primary business partner, and part of the energy of this book comes from him relaying the excitement, doubt and nervousness that accompanies spending loads of money of a work of art that you are almost positive is something special, but you won’t know until you buy it and start taking it apart a bit. Sometimes it’s only thousands of dollars, sometimes it’s millions, but it’s always a risk. With Mould’s book you get to feel a little of the excitement, without the expense. --Candice
As a librarian, I’m often told I “have to” read one book or another. No, I don’t. If enough people tell me that tho, I’d be nuts not to listen, especi...moreAs a librarian, I’m often told I “have to” read one book or another. No, I don’t. If enough people tell me that tho, I’d be nuts not to listen, especially when their recommendation is ratified by over a year and a half on best-seller lists. Still, this took me a while.
Skeeter, just graduated from college and living with her parents again, wants to write. She gets a job composing a housekeeping column in the local paper, but, knowing nothing about cleaning, questions Aibileen, a friend’s maid. Looking for a book-length topic, Skeeter settles on telling the stories of Black domestic workers, and after considerable early resistance, recruits enough volunteers.
It’s a hot, even dangerous topic, given the background of the Civil Rights Movement, and the virulently racist nature of Hilly, Skeeter’s best friend queen bee of Jackson society. All the book’s participants could get fired or worse. Much worse.
It’s pretty estrogenic , and a white author writing about Blacks in Jackson, Mississippi in the early ’60′s was initially a little hard to swallow. The characters grew on me tho, and the book is nicely plotted. A good read. --John
The 2011 All Iowa Reads book is Stephanie Kallos‘ Sing Them Home. I just listened to this book on disc and thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to di...moreThe 2011 All Iowa Reads book is Stephanie Kallos‘ Sing Them Home. I just listened to this book on disc and thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to discussing this book with others as a part of the All Iowa Reads program in 2011!!
Sing Them Home is set in the small Welsh community of Emlyn Springs, Nebraska and focuses on the Jones family. Everyone in Emlyn Springs knows the Jones family because their matriarch, Hope Jones, was carried away by a tornado and was never seen again. Hope’s family, including her husband, three children, and best friend, are unable to move on because of the questions surrounding Hope’s disappearance. Hope’s children, Larken, Gaelan, and Bonnie, struggle with identity issues and long for answers about their mother. Excerpts from Hope’s diary are woven into the story to give Hope’s perspective of life in Emlyn Springs as well as insights into her thoughts and character.
Sing Them Home offers a strong sense of place and the characters are well developed and memorable. Initially I was unsure about the story (yes, it’s long) but when I got to the end of the book I was sad that it was over. Stephanie Kallos is an excellent writer and weaves an enjoyable story that is warm, sometimes funny, and offers many themes for discussion. ~~Enjoy~~ --Kara
I just finished Carol Bodensteiner’s memoir about growing up in Iowa and absolutely loved it. I don’t typically read memoirs; however, I was searching...moreI just finished Carol Bodensteiner’s memoir about growing up in Iowa and absolutely loved it. I don’t typically read memoirs; however, I was searching for a good book to use for our outreach program with Iowa City Hospice. As a part of this outreach program volunteers read out-loud to persons in local retirement residences and then lead discussions of the text with the goal of stimulating memories.
Growing Up Country reminds me a lot of Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish. In each chapter Bodensteiner shares her personal memories along with historical documentation of her generation, traditions, and values. Themes include life-lessons learned from 4-H projects, the joy of community gatherings, and the hard work required to keep a dairy farm running. Each chapter mixes humor, childhood innocence, and reflection into many delightful stories.
It’s hard to pick a favorite chapter (I enjoyed them all) but “A Dangerous Game” ranks up at the top. In this chapter Carol, her sisters and cousins are chased up a tree by a 2,000+ pound heifer (cow) who just wants to play. The children are stuck up in the tree until they find a way to distract the cow and make a getaway. That reminded me of my childhood when and friend and I were chased through a farm-field by a cow. We were barely able to jump over a fence before the cow caught up to us. We still laugh about that story!
If you grew up in Iowa or the Midwest, Carol Bodensteiner’s book will bring back many wonderful memories. ~~Enjoy~~ --Kara
I love listening to Nigella Lawson when she is an occasional guest on NPR; I imagine many tv-watching cooks enjoy her program on the Food Network as w...moreI love listening to Nigella Lawson when she is an occasional guest on NPR; I imagine many tv-watching cooks enjoy her program on the Food Network as well. Her down-to-earth approach to cooking and entertaining, and her self-admitted indulgent love of eating are as apparent in her cookbooks as they are in her media appearances. Nigella Christmas, published late last year, is a prime example.
Lawson’s approach to Christmas is a secular one that revels in hospitality, gift-giving, celebration, and sharing food with others. There are recipes for old standards and menu plans for groups of six to sixteen. There are lots of make-ahead tips, suggestions for leftovers, and edible presents to make and give. This is not a cookbook with nutritional information after each recipe, but when the dish is called Girdlebuster Pie, do you really need the numbers?
The chapter on desserts (titled “Joy to the World”–if I wasn’t hooked already, this would have done it) includes recipes for a yule log, fruitcakes, and mini minced pies. Three pages are devoted to her Christmas pudding alone.
What I liked best about the book was her commentary about the special joys and burdens of entertaining at holiday time. For instance, she makes a pitch for inviting new friends to Christmas dinner because of “the stabilizing effect of the stranger factor: someone with whom your family doesn’t quite feel at home enough to behave badly.” Lawson does a good job of suggesting ways to mitigate the stress of entertaining at Christmas–a holiday that seems to come with heightened expectations and traditions that cannot be forfeited. I know I’ll never pull off the “Main Event” Christmas dinner she describes, but her book definitely puts me in the mood for celebrating the holiday with food, friends and family. (The recipe for Girdlebuster Pie is on page 87.) --Heidi
Librarian wannabe Keith Richards’s autobiography is sort of a dream come true–the dream where you sit down with him, ask what it was like, and he answ...moreLibrarian wannabe Keith Richards’s autobiography is sort of a dream come true–the dream where you sit down with him, ask what it was like, and he answers candidly and at some length. The man’s survived enough close calls (legal, pharmaceutical, and physical) for any ten lives. Great stories, very well told.
“I wrote Gimme Shelter on a stormy day…” Mick was sleeping with his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg, and he got even with Marianne Faithful, Mick’s girl. Keith describes the waxing and (especially) the waning of their relationship often over the years. “It’s not an act, no matter what Mick Jagger thinks.”
“A degenerate, even by my standards.” He settles a few scores, but mostly talks about friendship, loyalty being his biggest virtue. Says he didn’t so much steal Anita from Brian Jones as rescue her.
On her deathbed, his mom told him, “you know, that morphine’s not bad.” He has great drug stories, of course. This is the guy who told the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to give him back his heroin. He needed it, and was just going to buy more. Did you know he’s been off heroin for 31 years? Off cocaine for four?
“. . .how can I help these poor people who have to sleep every day? . . . Nine days was my record.” Lost in the legend is how hard Keith worked, and how successful his band became.
Looking for a book with advice on knife fighting, as well as guitar tuning tips and a recipe? Here you go. --John
The wave : in pursuit of the rogues, freaks, and giants of the ocean, by Susan Casey, is so much more interesting than one might think, based on the t...moreThe wave : in pursuit of the rogues, freaks, and giants of the ocean, by Susan Casey, is so much more interesting than one might think, based on the title. If you read her previous book, The Devil’s Teeth, about great white sharks and the people who research them, you know how she can take a seemingly obscure topic and make it come alive. She does the same here, whether she’s talking to the numbers-people from Lloyd’s of London (who still insure boats and cargo on the high seas), meteorologists and storm predictors, physicists who study waves of all kinds, or people who salvage tankers that are about to go down. They’re all saying the same thing: the environment is changing, seas are changing, storms are getting worse and waves are getting bigger–even catastrophic–on a more regular basis.
Casey goes around the world to track these waves down, or to view evidence of their destructive power, landing in England, Tahiti, Alaska, South Africa, Mexico, California, and Hawaii. She ends up spending a great deal of time with several big-wave surfers (most notably Laird Hamilton). They experience the waves in a way that few other people do, for good and bad, and by choice. Their stories will either make you want to learn to surf, or convince you that it’s about the last thing you ever need to do.
Ultimately, though, the story here belongs to the sea and the waves. They seem to have a life of their own, behaving in ways that are sometimes predictable, other times completely off the charts, sometimes nurturing, other times destroying. Casey’s book is an engaging reminder of that. --Candice
Must Love Dogs and Wildwater Walking Club author Claire Cook’s new chick-lit novel is about love, forgiveness, and self discovery. Jill is a single mo...moreMust Love Dogs and Wildwater Walking Club author Claire Cook’s new chick-lit novel is about love, forgiveness, and self discovery. Jill is a single mother who dreams about traveling around the world. Instead she has been raising her daughter alone for seven years and helping other women plan dream vacations. When her husband reappears and wants to rejoin her family, Jill has to come to terms with her personal dreams and how she wants to live her life. All of Claire Cook’s novels deal with personal reinvention in one way or another, and this is a strong theme in Seven Year Switch. Not surprising from an author who wrote her first novel in her mini-van at 5:00 AM while her daughter was at swim practice.
The novel is short and some themes could have been cultivated a bit more; however, it’s a quick and fun read. ~~Enjoy~~ --Kara
Dara’s in Djibouti to shoot a documentary about Somalian pirates. She’s assisted by Xavier LeBo, her 73 year old cameraman, security, and could-be lov...moreDara’s in Djibouti to shoot a documentary about Somalian pirates. She’s assisted by Xavier LeBo, her 73 year old cameraman, security, and could-be lover. They encounter Billy, a billionaire with CIA fantasies, Helene, who’s auditioning to become Billy’s wife, Idris, a rich and stylish pirate, Harry, a diplomat/gunrunner, and Jama, a terrifyingly effective al Qaeda operative.
“Why do bad guys take themselves so seriously?”
“Cause they dumb.”
This is Elmore Leonard’s key insight into the criminal mind. His bad guys are schemers, but self-deluded. Idris and Harry want to sell Jama to the American embassy for a million dollar reward, then convince themselves they can get 25 million. Jama, once he escapes, intends to kill Dara, tho he’s pretty sure they could have a great conversation first.
Once again, Leonard doesn’t so much plot the story as create the characters and turn them loose in the wild, to see where that takes him. He’s a master. --John
Are you looking for a more comprehensive and scientific approach to hoarding than the one given by the cable television shows Hoarding: Buried Alive o...moreAre you looking for a more comprehensive and scientific approach to hoarding than the one given by the cable television shows Hoarding: Buried Alive or Hoarders ? If so, “Stuff : compulsive hoarding and the meaning of things” is the book for you. Frost and Steketee, psychology professors, begin the book with the story of the Collyer brothers. After the reclusive pair died in 1947 their New York brownstone, sanitation workers found more than 130 tons of garbage in their home. The two became the cause celebre of hoarders.
While none of the hoarders chronicled in “Stuff” reach the level of the Collyers they all have compelling stories. In fact, most of them are not nearly as extreme as we might think. They are often very bright and aware of what they are doing, but are powerless to stop. “Stuff” is a fascinating look into the hoarding phenomenon. We all probably know someone who might just be a hoarder. Reading “Stuff” may give you a better understanding why some people collect and some people hoard. --Maeve
Jason already blogged about the first book in Suzanne Collins‘s series, which, along with a front page review in the New York Times Book review for Mo...moreJason already blogged about the first book in Suzanne Collins‘s series, which, along with a front page review in the New York Times Book review for Mockingjay (third book), got my attention. These were quick, exciting reads and lots of fun.
So much fiction targets a specific gender, that if you can write something that crosses over, you can have an enormous hit on your hands. Risking some gross stereotypes here, Collins offers video game style violence for guys (sudden, lethal, inventive), and costumes and relationships for girls. Since we mostly know how epic battles are going to turn out, Katniss’s dilemma of choosing between Gale and Peeta is what kept me reading.
Even then, I wasn’t quite right about the outcome of the battle. Collins pulls off surprises in each book, which are often pretty audacious. --John
Sarah’s Key author, Tatiana de Rosnay’s new book, A Secret Kept, is the story about a family unable to communicate because of past secrets and unresol...moreSarah’s Key author, Tatiana de Rosnay’s new book, A Secret Kept, is the story about a family unable to communicate because of past secrets and unresolved grief. Because Sarah’s Key is one of my favorite books (if you haven’t read it, you should – see my previous blog post if interested), I was very curious about de Rosnay’s second book. Although it did not have the emotional impact of Sarah’s Key, it is a wonderful work of fiction.
Antoine Rey decides to give his sister, Mélanie, a 40th birthday to remember so he plans a weekend at Noirmoutier Island in France where they spent many happy summers during their childhood. It is nearly 30 years after the death of their mother and he hopes to rekindle some of the happiness he remembers from their childhood. The visit reminds Mélanie of something deeply disturbing that she witnessed during their last summer there, and when Mélanie tries to tell Antoine about her memory she is so upset she drives the car off the road.
Mélanie’s reaction adds to Antoine’s curiosity about his mother’s death and he decides to investigate further. Antoine is in the process of coming to terms with a recent divorce and feels very distant from his children. Antoine realizes that he must heal the past in order to live in the present and look to the future.
I thought de Rosnay’s writing was strong and I enjoyed the character development and sense of place the author created. ~Enjoy~ --Kara
This is a fun and informative look at “history’s strangest cures.” Carlyn Beccia presents a variety of ailments as multiple choice questions with old-...moreThis is a fun and informative look at “history’s strangest cures.” Carlyn Beccia presents a variety of ailments as multiple choice questions with old-time remedies as the only options. Each possible answer is then followed with a verdict of whether or not it could cure the ailment along with an explanation. Readers will be pleased to learn that puke weed and skunk oil cannot cure colds, but might be surprised to learn that dirt can cure stomachaches and silver offers protection from the plague. The explanations for why people thought cures that didn’t work would are as interesting as the those for the legitimate cures. The entertaining illustrations are a perfect match for the tone of this informative and engaging text. --Andrea
Deep Creek is a historical novel that recounts the story of an 1887 massacre of more than 30 Chinese gold miners in a remote area of Idaho along the S...moreDeep Creek is a historical novel that recounts the story of an 1887 massacre of more than 30 Chinese gold miners in a remote area of Idaho along the Snake River. The story begins when a small town judge and former sheriff, Joe Vincent, takes his ten year old daughter, Nell, fishing and Nell ends up snagging a body…and then another one, and another one. The Chinese miners working for the Sam Yup Company have been brutally murdered and their bodies mutilated. Vincent ends up working with a representative of the mining company, Lee Loi, and metis mountain guide Grace Sundown to track the killers and bring them to justice. The characters are compelling, the story is intriguing, but the history is what really caught me up in this book. Dana Hand is a pen name for Will Howarth and Anne Matthews who have collaborated on eighteen books of nonfiction, many of them on American history. They know their stuff. The Wild West is portrayed in all it’s glory and excitement, but the dark side of land deals, exploitation, and casual, often violent, discrimination against Chinese immigrants and American Indians is the back story. This is a Mystery, a Western and a character study — not an easy read, but a rewarding one. --Susan
Siege ends several Marvel Comics story arcs that date back to 2006, including the Civil War, the death of Captain America, the whole Asgard moving to...moreSiege ends several Marvel Comics story arcs that date back to 2006, including the Civil War, the death of Captain America, the whole Asgard moving to Oklahoma thing, and the Dark Avengers, put together by the Green Goblin. A few characters seem to have bitten the dust as well, tho death is always provisional in comics. Ares, God of War in particular goes out with a splash, and it’s hard to see much future for the Sentry. Story arcs like these tend to move kind of slowly, so it’s a little startling here to see so many changes made at once.
The Sentry btw has one of my favorite origin stories, told in New Avengers. At some point in the past supervillain Mastermind has wiped out everyone’s memories of the Sentry including the Sentry’s own. So no one knows he exists, but there are comic books about him, and from these the Avengers deduce that he existed, and still does. Clever, no?
Marvel seems to be turning their backs on the kind of company wide mega-story they’ve been selling the last several years. They’ve branded their new approach “The Heroic Age,” meaning that if you pick up a Spider-Man, you’ll get a Spider-Man story, not an installment in some other storyline. While this may curtail the ambitions of their story-telling, it should solve the problem of finding a sensible sequence to read their bigger stories in. It also looks like they’ll be focusing on characters with movie franchises. --John
At first I wasn’t sure I could read a book about Michael Vick’s dogs. The world of dog fighting is a dirty rotten place, but the reviews for Jim Goran...moreAt first I wasn’t sure I could read a book about Michael Vick’s dogs. The world of dog fighting is a dirty rotten place, but the reviews for Jim Gorant’s book were so compelling that I decided to try. I am glad I did. Just as the subtitle states it is indeed a story of dog rescue and more importantly, redemption. The Lost Dogs chronicles the story of Vick and the Bad Newz Kennel, the raid on the kennel and then follows what happens to the dogs after they are taken from the rural Virginia location. Along the way readers learn about Vick, his friends and dog fighting and how they all came together and then all fell apart.
The story includes the detective work that leads to the arrest, trial and sentencing of Vick, but the main focus is really on the dogs. Fifty-one dogs were impounded during the raid. No one knew what would happen. Would they all be euthanized? In the end forty-seven of the dogs were saved and while not all are family pets far more than anyone originally thought are succeeding in a home situation. Gorant, a senior editor at Sports Illustrated, has written a book that will change peoples minds about pit bulls. It will also make the reader ask questions about why dog fighting continues to thrive and why there isn’t more done to stop it. It isn’t an easy read, but well worth it. The story, especially for the 47 dogs with new lives, is inspirational. --Maeve
I finished a book! I’ve recently gone through a rough period of trying to find a book that would hold my interest…after starting and not finishing 4 b...moreI finished a book! I’ve recently gone through a rough period of trying to find a book that would hold my interest…after starting and not finishing 4 books, the 5th book was a winner! That book was The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant, and it’s a wonderful tale. Our narrator is Pia Kolvenbach, and she recounts the events that occurred when she was 10 years old, living in the small German town of Bad Münstereifel. There are strange goings-on here, most notably the sudden and complete disappearance of a classmate of Pia’s, and the stories that begin to come out about the town and the people in it only add to the mystery. At the same time, Pia finds herself in the role of school outcast (owing to a peculiar and unfortunate accident that befalls her grandmother), her only friends being another boy held in similar standing and a kindly old man who regales them with tall tales about the area. The world of her parents, and their adult problems, also crashes in at times, and all of this makes for a year of upheaval and adventure. A sort of modern fairytale of its own, with very likable characters and well-written dialogue, this book was endearing and hard to put down. --Candice From ICPL Staff Picks Blog(less)
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