The remarkable Rebecca Lee manages to bring seven short stories into this slim volume. That does not mean that the narrative is rushed or confusing--IThe remarkable Rebecca Lee manages to bring seven short stories into this slim volume. That does not mean that the narrative is rushed or confusing--I've never read an author who can drop me into a story so easily and with such detail. I entered into scenarios already in full bloom, yet I was able to grasp the what was going on, and how the drama was unfolding . In some ways, it seemed like eavesdropping, yet I still felt like a part of every story. I was a witness to these folks infidelities, jealousies, insecurities, sacrifices and was not depressed by their troubles because each story seemed to end with the sense of hitting a hard spot in life but seeing their way through it. I just can't explain Lee's talent clearly enough, so I'm just going to urge you to read the book. You won't be sorry....more
The author knows Yosemite like the back of his hand, which adds a detailed beauty to what is a stark opposite of what is happening in the area. TenayaThe author knows Yosemite like the back of his hand, which adds a detailed beauty to what is a stark opposite of what is happening in the area. Tenaya (the main character) has been living in the park his entire life, illegally camping with his mother and father in the usually pristine and quiet places, away from the tourists, hunting and fishing to stay alive. But things are changing with corporate restaurants and gas stations beginning to creep into the park more and more deeply. With his parents getting older, and with his new girlfriend (though she is the daughter of one of the developers), he is torn. Should he stay and do something to protect his home, or should he leave the only place he's ever known and try to make a more normal life away from Yosemite. Things get darker when it seems that someone else is trying to stop the development by using eco-terrorist means that are actually killing people. This is a strange but rather austerely beautiful book that leaves the reader with much to think about....more
Another gorgeous book from Jerry Pinkney. He's a master illustrator, that's all there is to it. Anything he does is worth getting. It's as simple as tAnother gorgeous book from Jerry Pinkney. He's a master illustrator, that's all there is to it. Anything he does is worth getting. It's as simple as that....more
This is a powerfully written political rant literally in wolf's clothing. Well, werewolf's (more correctly: lupine) clothing. This may sound ridiculouThis is a powerfully written political rant literally in wolf's clothing. Well, werewolf's (more correctly: lupine) clothing. This may sound ridiculous, but this is a very serious book about culture, racism, violence, war, protest and pretty much everything political. Plus medical advances and experimentation, the role of drugs in a community, and layers upon layers of deceptions and machinations. It's bloody, terrifying, full of action and it will keep you up at night trying to figure where the story will go next. In short, this book is really kind of brilliant and very, very much worth the read. It's a treasure chest of poignant observations offered in a fictionalized, blood drenched way. I'm deeply impressed with Benjamin Percy, and I am eager to see more from him in the future....more
This book is fascinating--it begins with Ben Franklin and goes on through the 1970s with the history of trying to figure out and forecast tornadoes. IThis book is fascinating--it begins with Ben Franklin and goes on through the 1970s with the history of trying to figure out and forecast tornadoes. I LOVE storms, so this book was a lovely adventure for me. I was very surprised to learn about the decades long debate about whether tornadoes even existed, plus many, many other interesting things. There is a bit of science involved in this book, but a layperson like myself can follow along fairly easily. And the stories of tornadoes and their antics will haunt you and have you watching the sky more often than not. Truly a superb book. I absolutely recommend it for those curious about such things or who just love a good history book....more
A manuscript, carbon dated back to 1307 AD, was found in 1974. It is written in Arabic, Hebrew and Latin. It concerns a town meeting in July 14, 1099,A manuscript, carbon dated back to 1307 AD, was found in 1974. It is written in Arabic, Hebrew and Latin. It concerns a town meeting in July 14, 1099, a day before the French army were to invade the city (Jerusalem). A Greek man who had made his home there for years, who was known as The Copt. He sat with the elders of the various religions in the town, and he invites the spectators to ask him questions and he would answer them all. The book is a transcript of those questions and their deeply beautiful answers. While religion and beliefs to come into play in many of the answers, I don't really feel like it was preachy in any way. It was more of a philosophical view at a lot of difficult things, both in the town's situation and those that live in the human heart. It's a quick read in some ways, but I found myself going back over the answers again and again. The writing is so well rendered, one wonders if this is truly fiction, or is there maybe something larger behind it. All I can tell you is to read it for yourself....more
Mac Barnett does it again. This book is sooooo much fun, very interactive and full of Barnett's sly humor. The illustrations by Kevin Cornell are perfMac Barnett does it again. This book is sooooo much fun, very interactive and full of Barnett's sly humor. The illustrations by Kevin Cornell are perfect. These two make a great team.
This book is probably not good for a bedtime story, though--there will be much giggling and shouting and making of noise while reading this book....more
This is an atmospheric and heart wrenching view of what the aftermath of 9/11 was for the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It focuses on one familyThis is an atmospheric and heart wrenching view of what the aftermath of 9/11 was for the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It focuses on one family, but the story it tells explains a part of the world that we know so little about at the day top day family level. Everything is in there--the poverty, the richness of life, family, war, peace, religion, traditions, education, Taliban, pride, guilt, life, death and, above all, survival. The prose is very lyrical, boarding on poetic, but that does not soften the blow of the violence these characters are subjected to (or subject others to). It isn't an easy read, but it is one that I highly recommend. It opened my eyes about many things, made me cry a time or two, and, most of all, it made me think about 9/11 in a very, very, very different way....more
This book is delicious in several different ways. There's so much to learn, but with Stewart's gleeful exuberance and depth of knowledge, it's nothingThis book is delicious in several different ways. There's so much to learn, but with Stewart's gleeful exuberance and depth of knowledge, it's nothing but fun and fascination. And thirst, of course. There are lots and lots of cocktail recipes throughout the book. Trust me--you want this book. And buy one for your friends, because they will steal yours when you aren't looking. It's THAT kind of wonderful book. ...more
Two of my favorite writers, Gillian Flynn and S.J. Watson, blurbed this book, and I took that as good omen because these folks know what it takes to cTwo of my favorite writers, Gillian Flynn and S.J. Watson, blurbed this book, and I took that as good omen because these folks know what it takes to create a tale that will keep a reader up late and glued to the pages. And Maclean's declared it "a fast paced Exorcist-meets-DaVinci Code", which sounded hilarious in a way, but, after reading it, I have to agree.
This is a story of a man, his daughter and something very demonic, and unnamed. The main character, Professor David Ullman, is an expert on Milton's Paradise Lost, and has a somewhat tongue-in-cheek reputation as a demonologist because of it. His marriage has just dissolved, and he's left with his young and very withdrawn daughter. So it seems fortuitous when a visitor comes to his office and asks him to travel to Venice to "witness a phenomenon"--bringing his daughter was fine and the money offered staggering. But the phenomenon turned out to be beyond hellish, and was now attached to him and his daughter. The professor is pushed into more and more terrifying situations in order to get them free, all the while appearing a madman to everyone else around him. This book is creepy, breath-stealing and pretty much impossible to put down. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you are up to it, it's a riveting read....more
This is a beautifully written story about four women who think they are strangers, but they have connections to one another that become clearer as thiThis is a beautifully written story about four women who think they are strangers, but they have connections to one another that become clearer as this slim novel moves through a few days of each of these ladies lives. The narrative weave is masterful, and several emotions are teased to the surface for both the characters and the reader. The theme throughout, however, is that life is full of things that feel like traps. Our weaknesses and mistakes. The violence done to us by others or ourselves, or that we may have done to others who have crossed our path. But things like that aren't always what they seem--a bad turn can sometimes take us to exactly the place that we need to go. Ultimately, maybe it's only ourselves we have to forget or forgive. I did a lot of cheering towards the end, and at least one fist pump. Please, treat yourself to this little gem. ...more
This book is about Rachel, a public defender in Boulder, CO. She's passionate about the law and about her clients, but never as much as her latest cliThis book is about Rachel, a public defender in Boulder, CO. She's passionate about the law and about her clients, but never as much as her latest client, Emily, who stabbed her husband with scissors after years of abuse. It's clear to Rachel that Emily is innocent, and that this case might just make the 1986 Colorado courts finally accept the concept of battered woman syndrome. It is a long and passionate fight, a full half of the book. The second half of the book deals with Rachel decompression after the trial, which involves heading for civil war torn Nicaragua to help rebuild in the Sandinista villages, following a different kind of justice. This is a fascinating tale of a woman trying to find peace with herself and her world. Deep emotion and vivid description make this a fantastic read and an impressive debut novel. ...more
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