Pat's Picks

Ken Follet : World Without End, Pillars of the Earth and Eye of the Needle.

Great historical fiction and social history.






Sandra Brown : Tough Customer.

Detective stories...cops and ex-cops.....

Martha's Fall/Winter Picks

Just Kids by Patti Smith. Autobiography/Biography.

Patti Smith, poet and musician, traces her growth as an artist in tandem with her relationship with the famous/infamous photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe. The book provides a great glimpse into the New York art and music scene of the 60's, 70's and 80's. For those, like me, who are familiar with the lore concerning the people and places mentioned, such as Max's Kansas City and the Chelsea Hotel, the tale can take you on a romp down your own memory lane. Smith's own story is interesting on its' own, but further developed by her intertwining details about the fated life of her companion, Robert Mapplethorpe.


Life by Keith Richards. Autobiography.

At last, the truth about Keith Richards, in his own words! While a life of "drugs and rock'n roll" is accurately described by Mr. Richards, for the curious, I felt that the major contribution of this book was the incredible amount of musical history that is described on first-hand account, dating from the era when the Rolling Stones were competing for stage space with the Beatles. Musical technology, style and influences are described in detail by the man himself. Legends about Brian Jones, Mick Jagger and Keith's wife Anita are addressed in a tasteful and fair manner. Enjoy the tour!


The Case for Books: Past, Present and Future by Robert Darnton, Head of Harvard University Libraries. Non-Fiction.

This is a small and eminently readable book, for all those who love the printed word. In my brief encounter with this book, I learned a lot about the history of printing and the act of reading, and was led through thoughtful discussions about the future of books and libraries, as they confront the constantly emerging world of digitization. While some of us worry about the future loss of our "physical libraries" to the virtual universe, Mr. Darnton puts forth an excellent case for their preservation.


The Fall by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. Fiction/Horror

The second book in a vampire trilogy...it's the end of the world, nuclear explosions abound, the vampires have taken over and will the child be saved? I found this to be good "entertainment" reading, and it's easy to get "involved" with the characters - I have no choice but to wait for the the third book to be published to get the answers...Eternal Night.


Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
and Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook by Anthony Bourdain. Non-Fiction.

This was my first foray into the world of "foodies", and I found the Kitchen Confidential book to be fascinating and somewhat addictive to read, though I have neither a background nor a future in the restaurant business! High anxiety and shenanigans behind the scenes at various restaurant settings are related in an amusing and sometimes advisory style. I will never look at my restaurant meal the same way again, after having read this book. While Kitchen Confidential was published in 2000, Medium Raw could be considered a follow-up, ten years later. While there were bits and pieces of great food trivia and gossip in Medium Raw, I would forewarn the reader of excessive foul language. While I rather more enjoyed Kitchen Confidential, I would still suggest Medium Raw to the true "foodies" out there, as Anthony Bourdain is a bottomless pit of cooking knowledge and experience - both his own and that of others in the profession. If you are really going to go on an Anthony Bourdain binge, you can try out some of his recipes from "Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Techniques of Classic Bistro Cooking"!


Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King. Fiction/Horror

Stephen King writes again! A collection of four rather harrowing stories, depicting various aspects of the darker side of human nature. I really enjoyed the creative quality of the plots in this collection, and found it to be a fast and easy read and somewhat thought-provoking- the stories make you wonder what you would do in these tricky moral situations. Kudos to King!


Heart-Shaped Box and Horns by Joe Hill. Fiction/Horror.

I came across Joe Hill while working amongst the fiction stacks...while at first I was a bit leery due to what I consider somewhat far-fetched plots, I came to love the very clever and creative style this author has of weaving a fantastical story with a strong moral foundation. While Horns actually involves a young man growing horns and reading people's minds and Heart-Shaped Box concerns a ghost bought over the internet who follows the main characters around in a blue pick-up truck, I quickly became enamored of the characters and it was a race to the conclusion. Good, fun reads, both books!