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!

Judy's Pick

I'm Down by Mishna Wolff. St. Martin's Press, 2009.

Ok, so I like non-fiction, I'm especially attracted to memoirs and at the end of the day, I love to laugh. Mishna Wolff made me laugh. She grew up to be a fashion model and a comedian, how's that for a combination. White Mishna and her sister grew up in a black neighborhood with a divorced father who was enamored of all things culturally black as well as women of color who were to be step-mothers/mentors to the girls. She says he wanted to be black and wanted to see his girls adopt the genuine and positive aspects of black Americans, their "downness." Wise beyond her years, Mishna takes advantage of the opportunities she's afforded when her mother enrolls her in a highly competitive school outside of her neighborhood, where she realizes the difficulty of trying to fit into both worlds at once. The book is look at life in our strangely integrated, strangely segregated culture, beyond stereotype and in the end it is the story of a loving, if somewhat wacky family.

Martha's Summer 2010 Picks

Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. Non-fiction.
An easy and entertaining read, despite the subject of economics- the authors explore, in short chapters, the rarely seen side of the economy on both the national and global level. Freakonomics explores such subjects as the effect of cheating, crime, abortion and parenting on our daily financial interactions with the world. Superfreakonomics continues in the same vein touching upon the medical and prostitution industry, terrorism, and the boomerang effects of Al Gore and the greening of America on your wallet. Easy, fun, and informative!


The End by Marq de Villiers. Non-fiction.
How many ways can the world itself come to an end? This subject is addressed in a very thorough manner, and is surprisingly uplifting rather than depressing or frightening. Earthquakes, meteors, volcanoes, tsunamis, pandemics and other sundry cataclysms are discussed in realistic, factual and scientific depth. This book served as a great reminder that we are all part of a planetary and universal system that we cannot control. The positive aspect of the book included the author's ideas on what we CAN control on our planet and in our universe. A unique read by an author well-versed in environmental issues.


Lunch In Paris: A Love Story, With Recipes by Elizabeth Bard. Fiction/Non-Fiction.
As an avowed Francophile, I thoroughly enjoyed this little book which follows the story of an American woman who marries a French man, and delineates her adaptation to Parisian society via food experiences. The stories of the cultural exchanges between the American and French families are enlightening and delightful - best of all, the author has included many French recipes (and a few American ones) as a reflection of her cultural experiences. If you are not interested in the culture aspects of the book, it is worth the read for the easy and delicious French recipes that are interspersed throughout the story!

The Bone Parade by Mark Nykanen. Fiction.
Incredibly well-written suspense page-turner, but not for the squeamish! The subject matter is grisly, involving a serial-killer sculptor, but the plot and character as so well-developed that it is hard to put down. I give it an "R" for scenes of sex and violence, but an "A" for excellent writing!

The Strain by Guillermo del Torro and Chuck Hogan. Fiction.
The first in yet another vampire series..... due to great writing, this held my attention, made me slightly nervous and...looking forward to Book #2 : The Fall. Guillermo del Torro was responsible for the fantastical movie "Pan's Labyrinth", which lead me to be interested in this new series....I did not believe the vampire scenario could be redeveloped again, but I have proved myself wrong. The Fall has recently become available at local libraries, and you can bet I am on the waiting list!


Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. Fiction.
In short, a great medieval CSI (Crime Scene Investigation). The story line develops around the rare incidence of a female doctor (really a coroner, thus the title), who is invited to England to investigate a series of children's murders along with her associates. The author has really brought to life with flair the mood of medieval England and all the social, racial, religious and economic realities one would expect of the era. In addition, the investigation is intriguing, somewhat gruesome at times, and overall, a very easy, fast, and entertaining read! I would definitely read another book by this author!
Additional books by Ariana Franklin: City of Shadows, Grave Goods, A Murderous Procession, The Serpent's Tale.

Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris by Graham Robb. Non-Fiction.
Whether you have been to Paris or not, this is a fascinating collection of real-life stories, about people famous and not-so-famous who have left their mark on the "City of Lights". Personalities include Napoleon Bonaparte, Hitler, Marie Antoinette, Baudelaire, Proust, De Gaulle, the recent President of France N. Sarkozy, and my favorite, the man responsible for the "Catacombes" ( a series of underground passages in Paris, filled to the top with bones). Chapters are relatively short, and the narratives are told in a variety of styles. Anyone interested in the social history of Paris will enjoy this unusual literary approach to the old and venerable city of Paris, France.

Miss Lisa's Pick

Scumble
by Ingrid Law

This 2010 companion to Law's Newbery Honor Book Savvy takes place nine years after Mibs Beaumont's adventures. According to family tradition, Ledger Hale inherits his special talent on his thirteenth birthday and things instantly begin to fall apart. Literally.

Ledge decides to stay at his Uncle Autry's ranch in order to get his destructive powers under control. While there, he must contend with his nettlesome twin cousins Mesquite and Marisol, who can levitate anything at will (and often aim the objects at him), his cousin Rocket (a holdover from Savvy) whose ability to control electricity is hair-raising, and Sarah Jane, the daughter of a locally feared businessman, who challenges Ledge to keep his patience and open his heart.

This book answers a lot of "what happened to?" questions left at the end of Law's first book and leaves readers wondering if there will be a companion book to Scvmble as worthy as this one is to Savvy. Let's hope that Ingrid Law decides to keep on writing about these amazing characters in her funny, energetic voice that delights children and adults alike.