Checking Out Titles December 27, 2011
Posted by Chris in Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
There’s nothing like a good title that tempts me to take down a book from the shelf, scan it, and consider taking it home. What makes a title good? To me, it’s one that makes me wonder. Looking around now, I see a number that do/did just that: Chango’s Beads and Two-Tone Shoes, Edge, Bed, A Visit from the Goon Squad, The Buddha in the Attic, Baking Cakes in Kigali, Sing You Home, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. A few of them I’ve reached for in the past, read, and felt that they’ve lived up to their titles; some not so much. One title that doesn’t stand a chance with me is one with a pun. I’ve heard authors talk about slaving over the perfect title; heard others mention that their editors came up with it; and one even said that he narrowed his options by flipping coins. So there you have it. And if we’re not familiar with the author, that’s all we have to go on. Unless you’re into arresting graphics.
─Chris
Mona & Steve December 22, 2011
Posted by Chris in Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings.add a comment
I knew of Mona Simpson long before I knew of her long-lost brother Steve Jobs. I was reading her first novel, Anywhere but Here in ’86 along with my friends and we were very excited about her work. Not only did she have a novel out at 26 years of age, but she was working at The Paris Review. Cool. Mona went on to write, and we went on to read, A Regular Guy, Off Keck Road, and most recently, My Hollywood.
During the time she went from being a struggling writer to an award-winning one, she was also developing a close relationship with her computer-genius brother, Steve Jobs. How lucky for them to connect in 1985 and befriend each other, even if it was only for 26 years.
I think of what their biological mother must feel having given up her son for adoption at birth only to find out later that he had become Steve Jobs. His biological father never found out; Mona met him when she was an adult. Yet, they were the natural parents of two extraordinarily gifted people. Now there’s a story.
─Chris
Ann Patchett’s bookstore December 22, 2011
Posted by Ann in Thoughtful Ramblings.Tags: Book news, Bookstores
add a comment
There is still hope for brick and mortar bookstores, and Ann Patchett, author of the best-selling, State of Wonder, believes that is true. She has opened an independent bookstore in her native Nashville, Tennessee. Calling it Parnassus Books, Patchett feels that people still want bookstores, and many prefer to visit smaller stores. Read and listen to the story here. NPR’s story about Patchett’s bookstore
~Ann
Latest Addtions December 19, 2011
Posted by stacey in Fiction.Tags: Latest Additions, The Reading Room
add a comment
What in the world…? How crazy was that snow on Saturday?! Too much, too soon for my taste, but hopefully that will be all until a gentle falling of snowflakes on December 24th… Ah, the dream! At least you had a really good chance at having a pile of books to keep you busy inside -with all those fabulous Top Ten of 2011 lists and such. Plus, it’s Monday! You know what that means, don’t you? Right, it’s time for The Latest Additions!
Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott
The Kings of Clonmel by John Flanagan
Nightwoods by Charles Frazier
I hope that between these books newly added to The Reading Room, and the book bonanza of last week, that this will keep you out of reading trouble for a while! The Library is closed next Monday, so now’s the time to grab a few extra, just in case books…
Tomorrow is the first day of Hanukkah, so Happy Hanukkah my friends! And I wish you all a magical, merry Christmas as well!
— Stacey
Top Ten of 2011 December 16, 2011
Posted by Janet in Book List, Fiction, Top Ten.Tags: Top Ten of 2011
add a comment
Wow! What a year it has been. My daughter got married. I lost my VW Beetle in a car accident and I had to learn how to navigate with a broken foot. Below is the list of the books that became: a great escape, or felt like a visit from an old friend, or made me laugh, or taught me something.
Daughters-in-law by Joanna Trollope
The Call by Yannick Murphy
Nightwoods by Charles Frazier
Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress
Emily Alone by Stewart O’Nan
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (my Young Adult book)
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian
A Bad Day for Scandal by Sophie Littlefield
—Janet
Most (but not all!) of Stacey’s Favorite 2011 Reads December 16, 2011
Posted by stacey in Book List, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Top Ten, Young Adult.Tags: Top Ten of 2011
1 comment so far
Really. It’s like trying to choose a favorite kind of ice cream or one particular style of cookie -the taste that pleases you most will depend on your mood of the day- right? And yet. Aren’t there some books, and ice cream flavors or kinds of cookies, that never seem to let you down? That’s how I tried to select my list of books this year. It’s tough to stay within the number boundaries, but like last year, I kept it pretty close!
I made sure to include a variety of books, from non-fiction to a graphic novel to teen books, so I could feel confident that I provided a potential “new favorite” title for just about everyone! See what you think?
You Against Me by Jenny Downham
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
Plague *and* Fear (which will be published in 2012) by Michael Grant
5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin by Michael Inman
When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
365 Thank Yous by John Kralik
The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston
Children of the Street by Kwei Quartey
Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Gone With a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West
Yes. I know. There’s more than eleven -but just by one! So this year I kept it the same, but made it different too, from my Top Ten of 2010. What’s the same? I’ve created a list of twelve books, they are in alphabetical order, and there is a variety of genres/age appeal. What’s different? I specifically made sure that I didn’t repeat authors -except one, how could I not include Deanna Raybourn’s newest gem? The two non-fiction books aren’t in The Reading Room, so I linked to the author’s website and you can see more of what they’re about…
I hope you enjoy reading my list, and hopefully the actual books!, as much as I enjoyed making the list! (And at least half as much as I enjoyed seeing what other books got a shout out this week!)
Have a wonderful time reading!
— Stacey
Rosemary’s Best 11 of 2011 December 15, 2011
Posted by Rosemary in Uncategorized.Tags: Book List, Fiction, Nonfiction, Top 10, Top Ten of 2011
add a comment
Last week we had about an inch of snow and my dog was beside himself with happiness. Jack loves the snow! He loves it when I kick it up into the air and he can launch himself at it. As we were heading back home from our walk, I noticed how his small footprints and my big ones were intersecting all the way down the sidewalk. I wonder if we will have a white Christmas? I know Jack is dreaming of one. My top 2011 books were all read and savored in the company of my faithful companion.
Dark Inquiry by Deanna Raybourn
The Call by Yannick Murphy
Velva Jean Learns to Fly by Jennifer Niven
Emily Alone by Stewart O’Nan
Daughters-in-Law by Joanna Trollope
Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn
Nightwoods by Charles Frazier
Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly
To be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal
South of Superior by Ellen Airgood
I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher (nonfiction)
Top 10 + 1 of 2011 December 15, 2011
Posted by Steve in Book List, Top Ten.Tags: Top Ten of 2011
add a comment
Looking over the past year, I’ve read a bit of everything, but to be honest not many new ones. Here are my top ones, in no particular order. Hope you find one that you may have missed. Enjoy!
River of Doubt,Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey, by Candice Millard
Roosevelt heads out on an Amazon adventure to soothe his broken spirits after his presidential defeat in 1912.
The Giver, by Lois Lowry
I had never read this children’s classic, and was blown away by it. It’s the story of a utopian society that has gotten rid of pain and discomfort, and 12 year old Jonas’ discovery of a whole range of emotions that have been eliminated from his society.
No Country for Old Men, by Cormac McCarthy
The movie follows this book closely, but if you haven’t seen it, the story is about a hunter, Llewelyn Moss, who stumbles upon a drug deal gone bad on the US-Mexico border in 1980. He’s pursued by Anton Chigurh, a pure psychopath.
The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls
I was surprised that I enjoyed this one as much as I did. It’s the memoir of Jeannette Walls, and her wreck of a family. Her dad is an alcoholic and her mom is about as selfish as they come, and the two of them drag the poor kids all across the country dodging the law and bill collectors. At times funny and heartbreaking.
Land of Lincoln: Adventure’s in Abe’s America, by Andrew Ferguson
Ferguson grew up a Lincoln buff and as an adult tours the country’s Lincoln museums and events. Funny and educational, the most interesting part is about the making and planning of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois.
Pepper Pike, by Les Roberts
This is the first in his long sleuth series centered in Cleveland, featuring Slovenian private investigator Milan Jacovich.
Benjamin Franklin, an American Life, by Walter Isaacson
Engaging biography of this remarkable genius.
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Hilarious novel about sloth-like Ignatius J. Reilly and his adventures and assortment of characters he runs into in 1960’s New Orleans.
Black Like Me, by John Howard Griffin
White author Griffin’s real life experiment with racism. Griffin dyed his pigment and lived in the South in the late 1950’s. This is a real eye-opener.
Marley and Me, by John Grogan
Here’s another one I was surprised by. Anyone who has had a crazy dog will relate and laugh their head off. Even if you don’t have a dog you will enjoy this read, although be warned, the end is a tearjerker.
And one bonus book…
Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand
The true story of Louis Zamperini, Olympic runner and Word War II POW, and his unbelievable tale of survival after being adrift in the Pacific, and then held captive in deplorable conditions in a POW camp.
2011 Top Ten (Plus One) December 15, 2011
Posted by Ann in Book List, Fiction, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Top Ten.Tags: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mysteries
add a comment
My Top Ten List is succinct and sweet
With a one word description as short as a tweet.
In the Woods- Tana French “Seductive”
The Likeness- Tana French “Imaginative”
State of Wonder- Ann Patchett “Wonderful”
Before I Go to Sleep- S.J. Watson “Memorable”
The Devil She Knows- Bill Loehfelm “Gritty”
Unlikely Friendships- Jennifer S. Holland “Heartwarming”
Started Early, Took My Dog- Kate Atkinson “Multi-layered”
White Heat- M.J. McGrath “Chilling”
Caleb’s Crossing- Geraldine Brooks “Vivid”
The Help- Kathryn Stockett “Inspiring”
And for the Bonus Title
The Art of Racing in the Rain- Garth Stein “Bittersweet”
Top Ten of 2011 December 14, 2011
Posted by Julie in Book List, Top Ten.Tags: Favorite books, Top Ten of 2011
add a comment
Ok, so I managed to finish some books this year – whoo hoo! But did 10 of them merit the end of the year “best of” list? No. Or at least not that I remember…. Soooo, I will be rounding out the list with some titles that I have only just started but will be compelled to finish (if all the rave reviews can be believed).
Allen, Sarah Addison: Girl Who Chased the Moon
Bailey, Elisabeth Tova: Sound of a Wild Snail Eating
Forman, Gayle: Where She Went
Harkness, Deborah: A Discovery of Witches
Hiaasen, Carl: Star Island
Joyce, William: The Man in the Moon
Perkins, Stephanie: Anna and the French Kiss
Almost-reads:
Horowitz, Anthony: House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
Kaaberbol, Lene & Agnete Friis: The Boy in the Suitcase
Morgenstern, Erin: Night Circus
— Julie
