Question of the Week

Which book has your favorite portrait of a city?

When I read, I find it especially wonderful if the city the book takes place in is brought to life so well, it feels like a character itself.  This is especially heightened for me if it is a city I have spent any decent amount of time in.  A good description can either make me feel like I'm back for a visit, or gives me fresh peeks at aspects I've either forgotten or not known about.   For me these books really capture their place exquistly: 

For anyone who has spent more than a day or two in San Francisco, you have probably been caught in it's signature fog.  The Maltese Falcon evokes that misty ambiance so well, plus brings to life the City of yesteryear in a way that is just magical.

And I know I mention this book WAY too often, but what can I say, it is my favorite!  I lived in Chicago for a few years, and I love that The Time Traveler's Wife captures not only local landmarks, but the inner workings of the Newbery Library, plus features one of my favorite sushi restaurants.

I spent a quarter abroad when I was in college, living in London.  When I read Nick Hornby's High Fidelity, it really brings back the everyday life of this wonderful city.  At least for those of us who like hanging out in record shops.  I was worried when they decided not to have the movie take place in London, but when I found out it was to be placed in Chicago, I was actually thrilled because I knew it was a music loving city that would also fit the story.

Which book best brings to life one of your favorite cities...or made you want to visit one because it was so great?

Trailer Thursdays: The Tower

The Tower - Simon Toyne
After the rise comes the fall. When a cyber-attack at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland disables the Hubble telescope and the Nobel Prize--winning scientist in charge disappears, the only clues left behind are a cryptic countdown clock and a chilling message displayed on the missing man's computer: Mankind Must Look No Further. Newly appointed FBI agent Joe Shepherd, a former academic star with degrees in astrophysics and computer science, is uniquely qualified to handle the investigation, but he is also hiding some secrets of his own. He discovers a note in the missing scientist's handwriting that reads "end of days" and further evidence linking the cyber-attack to a series of strange events from eight months earlier--an explosion at the Citadel, an ancient monastery in Turkey; the deadly viral outbreak that occurred in its wake; and the disappearance of an American journalist named Liv Adamsen and ex--special forces operative Gabriel Mann. Liv has been trapped in the Syrian Desert, a prisoner of the prophecy that drove her there and now whispers of terrible things to come. Gabriel, infected and tormented by the deadly virus he carried out of the Citadel, is desperate to return before it spreads. Shepherd's investigation takes him on a journey to the secrets at the very edge of the universe and also deep into his own past as the countdown clock continues and extraordinary events begin to manifest around the globe--animals migrating out of season, extreme weather battering the planet, people deserting the cities as they answer a growing urge to return to their original homes. In this exhilarating conclusion to the internationally bestselling Ruin trilogy, one woman's destiny weaves the past and present together in a way that will change the future for us all. But what is the "end of days" and what does it really mean for humankind--will it be revelation or devastation?

Great Non-Fiction is Often Overlooked

My sister, Karen, is a 7th grade teacher at a school back in Illinois.  She's always asking me for suggestions for non-fiction for her students, usually boys who have lost interest in reading.  But she require recreational reading, so they don't have a lot of choice.  These are two of the books that I've recommended over the past few years:

Unbroken:  A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption  by Laura Hillenbrand.
This was one of my first suggestions to her.  And it's still one of my favorite books to recommend to anyone who's looking for a good read.  Compelling characters, amazing story, and a very satisfying conclusion.





Lost in Shangri-La:  A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II by Mitchell Zuckoff
Flushes with my success, I thought that I'd hit a winner with this one.  And I did, but quite unexpectedly, with not only the boys in her classes, but the girls.  They loved the idea that a woman was part of the group who made their way across New Guinea, caught between primitive tribes and the enemy Japanese.





And would you believe it, now she's calling me with ideas!  We both loved The Boys in the Boat:  Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Olympics by Daniel James Brown.





What non-fiction titles would you recommend for this group?

Trailer Thursdays: Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures

Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures - Amber Dusick
"The drawings aren't very good, Mama." -Crappy Boy, age 5.
Of course you love being a parent. But sometimes, it just sucks. I know. I'm Amber Dusick and I started my blog Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures because I needed a place to vent about the funny (and frustrating) day-to-day things that happened to me as a parent. Turns out, poop is hilarious! At least when you're not the one wiping it up. This book won't make your frustrating moments any less crappy. But these stories about my Crappy Baby, Crappy Boy and my husband, Crappy Papa, will hopefully make you laugh. Because you're not alone. And sometimes the crappiest moments make the best memories. Parenting is wonderful! And also, well, you know.

Question of the Week

What is the last book that made you cry?

I mean really, all out sobbing!

I just finished bawling over Code Name Verity. It was an amazingly beautiful, haunting and sad book. I cried through the last third of the book! (Please, do not judge this book by its cover, or the fact that it is labeled a teen book.)

I still remember crying through the last part of Winter's Tale when I lived in New York more than 25 years ago.  I also remember a friend calling and not being able to talk to her because I was could not stop sobbing.

So, what was the last book that made you all out cry?

 

Climbing Mt. Everest

I have never climbed Mt. Everest or K2...OK, I haven't even climbed Mt. Rainier and the hill in Edmonds looks daunting to me!  But, oh boy, do I ever love books about climbing. 

Like many, my first encounter with climbing books was with Into Thin Air.  Whether you believe Krakauer's story or not, it was quite an adventure and I felt myself  getting colder and colder as the pages went on.  I also enjoyed his Eiger Dreams.

Touching the Void still leaves me breathless just thinking about it.  Recently, I finished Buried in the Sky and now my book climbing includes the unique stories of sherpas (and, as you will learn in the book, it should be lower case in this instance).

So, while I will never climb Mt. Everest, K2 or proably even Mt. Baker, I thoroughly enjoy climbing with books!

Trailer Thursdays: The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards

The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards - Kristopher Jansma
"F. Scott Fitzgerald meets Wes Anderson" ("The Village Voice") in this inventive and witty debut about a young man's quest to become a writer and the misadventures in life and love that take him around the globe. From as early as he can remember, the hopelessly unreliable--yet hopelessly earnest--narrator of this ambitious debut novel has wanted to become a writer. From the jazz clubs of Manhattan to the villages of Sri Lanka, Kristopher Jansma's irresistible narrator will be inspired and haunted by the success of his greatest friend and rival in writing, the eccentric and brilliantly talented Julian McGann, and endlessly enamored with Julian's enchanting friend, Evelyn, the green-eyed girl who got away. After the trio has a disastrous falling out, desperate to tell the truth in his writing and to figure out who he really is, Jansma's narrator finds himself caught in a never-ending web of lies. As much a story about a young man and his friends trying to make their way in the world as a profoundly affecting exploration of the nature of truth and storytelling, "The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards" will appeal to readers of Tom Rachman's, "The Imperfectionists" and Jennifer Egan's Pulitzer Prize-winning, "A Visit from the Goon Squad" with its elegantly constructed exploration of the stories we tell to find out who we really are.

Question of the Week

Do your reading preferences change?

My reading tastes have definitely changed over the years.  They've even been known to change over the course of just a few weeks.

As a newly-minted reader, I read authors such as Beverly Cleary, Donald Sobol, and L. Frank Baum.  In particular, I enjoyed the adventure aspect of Baum's stories of Oz.  I admired the bravery of Dorothy and her friends in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.  Good always conquered evil and there was always a happy ending to be had, and that was comforting.

In my early teens I switched to the Gothic romances of Phylis A. Whitney, Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt.  Romances by these authors have several common threads:  a young woman in a strange place, a handsome (but strangely brusque) man, and a mystery. 

In my latter teens, I read lots of paranormal and modern horror by the likes of Peter Benchley, V.C.  Andrews, and Jay Anson's The Amityville Horror.  These, quite simply, scared the daylights out of me.  I was up long past my bedtime, and well after having closed my book for the night. 
These days, I'm into gritty, suspenseful mysteries.  William Ryan's series featuring Captain Alexei Dimitrevich Korolev is set in 1930s USSR.  The historical aspects and the fast-paced action are addictive.  I'm also enjoying Camilla Lackberg, R.J. Ellory, and Colin Cotterill. 

Who knows what I'll be reading this time next year?  One thing's for sure:  I know I'll find something new and interesting at the library.     

I Scream for Ice Cream!

Now that summer is in full swing, my thoughts turn, naturally, to ice cream.  My family used to make a weekly trek to the local stand to partake of this frosty treat.  I am continually amazed at the new and unusual flavors I see from local makers and chain brands alike.  Some sound pretty good (salted caramel pretzel), and some hold somewhat less appeal for me (maple bacon).  I realize there are those who would build a monument to bacon, but I don't think I want it in my ice cream.  Of course, you may feel differently.

I love books about ice cream.  I pore over the recipes, imagining the way each might taste, should I ever actually take the trouble to make it.  Here are a few of my favorites... 

Everything Goes with Ice Cream by Koralee Teichroeb.  Try Pink Marshmallow Ice Cream or Red Velvet.  Along with great ice cream recipes, you'll find recipes for other treats, and even instructions for making your very own "pinny."

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Britton. Feeling adventurous?  Whip up a batch of Queen City Cayenne or Star Anise Ice Cream with Candied Fennel Seeds.  Yummy!

Making Artisan Gelato by Torrence Kopfer.  Gelato:  the heavenly cousin of ice cream.  I was intrigued by Roasted Peanut & Marshmallow Creme and Chocolate-Cinnamon-Basil.  This book contains recipes for both the traditionalist and the curious.

What's your favorite book about ice cream?

Trailer Thursdays: T-Rex Trying

T-Rex Trying - Hugh Murphy
Poor T-Rex. It's hard to be the Lizard King when you can't even change a light bulb. Drawn from Hugh Murphy's wildly popular Tumblr feed of the same name, T-Rex Trying depicts the stubby-armed tyrant in a range of hilarious--yet pathos-inducing--activities that we humans take for granted. Murphy's 100 drawings include: T-Rex Trying to Paint His House T-Rex Trying to Use a Drive-Through ATM T-Rex Trying to Apply Sunscreen T-Rex Trying to Break Into a Vending Machine T-Rex Trying to Ask for a New Roll of Toilet Paper from the Next Stall Looks like the ancient beast isn't so tough after all.

Question of the Week

What do you think about celebrities as authors?

The list of celebrities who are writing books just keeps growing. Steven Martin, Henry Winkler, Katie Couric, Julianne Moore, Steven Harvey and so many others are writing memoirs, fiction, humorous nonfiction, books for children, etc.

I don’t often read books by celebrities, but last year I really enjoyed Bossypants by Tina Fey. Also, I just finished listening to the audiobook Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham, star of NBC’s Parenthood. She did an excellent job narrating the story, using the perfect voices and expressions for the characters. I was disappointed when it ended and am hoping she writes more in the future. 

Have you read any books by celebrities lately?

Inspirational Beach Reads

Because of the incredibly warm weather we're having, I am in the mood to read stories that take place at the beach. I recently discovered Marybeth Whalen, an inspirational romance writer whose books are set in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, a real place I'd love to visit someday. The Mailbox is her first book (available from Sno-Isle in regular print and large print), which is centered around an actual landmark on the beach. The Guest Book is the second (also available in regular and large print), and her new book is The Wishing Tree (which I was reading while relaxing on a boat yesterday). The books are stand-alones and don't need to be read in order.

 If you prefer inspirational suspense, I recommend two trilogies: The Women of Justice (Too Close to Home, Don't Look Back, and A Killer Among Us) by Lynette Eason and the Justice Seekers (Injustice for All, To Write a Wrong, and Strand of Deception) by Robin Caroll.