Take Ten: Suggestion for a Book Club

Today's Take Ten list comes from my student Ellen who used her midterm assignment to help an actual book group pick their titles for 2013.  She was able to interview the members of the group before compiling her list, and she is scheduled to present this list to them in December.  From her paper:

The book club I chose to study meets once a month from 7-9 pm at the Berkeley Public Library. The club consists of 6 to 8 middle aged white women, all middle class. The community where they live (all but one reside in Berkeley) is diverse, with a strong Hispanic community and a large elderly population as well. The town has a population of approximately 2000, and is a suburb of Chicago. 

When asking the book club members what type of literature they liked, the consensus seemed to be historical fiction, or stories about women’s lives and relationships, particularly with strong female characters. Some of the favorite titles they have read over the years include The Help by Kathryn Stockett, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wall, Lottery by Patricia Wood, When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka, and Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shores When asked what they enjoyed, they mainly mentioned that they enjoyed “real life” stories, with not too much romance, but a touch of romance was fine as long as it did not dominate the novel. One member did mention that in her free reading time she enjoyed reading more typical romance novels, but she also mentioned that her favorite book was Beneath a Marble Sky which is definitely historical fiction.

Some books that the club expressly did not like included The Lord is my Shepherd: Psalm 23 Murders #1 by Debbie Viguie, In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, and Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.  They expressly disliked The Lord is my Shepherd because there was “too much God stuff” and not enough mystery. They also seemed very standoffish towards reading non-fiction. They did not enjoy Eat Pray Love generally, although some liked particular segments of the book there was too much “God stuff” and romance for them. They read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks as another non-fiction title, and while they found this story a bit interesting they were not thrilled and said they would probably pass on another similar title. The Jennifer Weiner title was not a hit because the members felt that they had already heard this same type of story by other authors, and there was nothing to keep them guessing or intrigued. They had read another title by Jennifer Weiner previous to this one, and felt that it was almost the same book with a slight change in characters. 

Overall, while this group has some specific likes and dislikes, they seem to be pretty typical of a white, middle class, female book group.  Ellen's research process (described in her midterm paper) was also very thurough.  And, I just love how she efficiently and effectively gets the appeal of each book into her annotations while still including a bit of plot.

While her annotated list geared to this group specifically, I think many book discussion groups out there could use this list to help them to pick their new titles, which is why I asked for her permission to post it here.  Feel free to use Ellen's list with your group, but please cite this url.

And I just want to say, I am always so happy to see my students using the work they produce for this class to help real life patrons.

Here is Ellen's list.

Berkeley Book Club Suggested Reads List

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Jamie Ford. 301 pages

Soon after losing his wife, Henry Lee discovers a cache of artifacts from the time of Japanese internment in the United States. The story, which toggles between 1986 with Lee’s personal grief and exploration of the artifacts, and the 1940’s with a budding friendship between a Japanese American and a Chinese American, explores the vast beauty and pain that characterizes human relationships. 

The Last Brother. Nathacha Appanah. 164 pages

On the island of Maritus in 1944, nine year old Raji is all but unaware of any unrest in the world, until he stumbles upon a young boy who, he learns, is a Jewish detainee being held for an indeterminate amount of time on the island. As the boys’ friendship progresses, they hatch a plan for a harrowing escape and are faced with a desperate mission to survive.

The Magician’s Assistant. Ann Patchett.  357 pages

Ever since becoming Parsifal’s assistant, Sabine had vied for a love she knew she could never have. After Parsifal’s male lover’s death, and then his own death, Sabine finds out a series of secrets and uncovers the part of her love’s life that she never knew existed, and comes to terms with her loss in a haunting but hopeful tale of love, grief, and understanding. 

Reading Lolita in Tehran. Azar Nafisi. 343 pages

This memoir of Azar Nafisi, an Iranian woman and teacher of English and American literature, tells her brave tale of silent rebellion. Every Thursday for many years during the Iranian revolution, Nafisi and a group of forward thinking young women would meet to read and discuss the classic tales of American and English literature, and through these tales, would craft an amazing story of their own.

Bee Season. Myla Goldberg. 274 pages

In a family that seems to be holding together by the slightest threads, Eliza is anything but exceptional. She is in the class for slow learners, and her brother, Saul, is much more the pet of her family since he hopes someday to be a rabbi, which puts him in their father’s best graces. Yet when Eliza suddenly beings winning a series of spelling bees and garners national attention, the entire family dynamic changes and she has to use her own strength to try to maintain sanity as her family spirals into darkness.

The Monsters of Templeton. Laura Groff.  361 pages

After being asked to leave school in the midst of a scandalous affair with her married archeology professor, Willie Upton arrives home shamed, and is greeted with the death of a giant lake monster. While the monster certainly brings national scientific attention, the main story lies in Willie’s search for the truth about her family, her father, her past, and ultimately herself. 

The Time Traveler’s Wife. Audrey Niffenegger.  536 pages

This compelling novel chronicles the beautiful but unconventional love between Claire, a normal woman, and the love of her life and eventual husband Henry. Their love story is a genuine one, but with a twist: Henry is sometimes suddenly transported in time and has no control over where or when this will happen. While the time travel certainly is a key aspect of this novel, many other complex ideas, such as love, marriage, friendship, and loss are examined in this masterfully written novel.

Girl in Translation. Jean Kwok.  303 pages

After emigrating from Hong Kong to Brooklyn, only to find desperation and squalor, Kimberly Chang makes an important decision to better her life. So she begins her double life: smart conscientious student by day, Chinatown sweatshop worker by night. Through the course of her story, Kimberly learns many amazing lessons about herself, her family, and her culture. 

The Paris Wife. Paula McLain.  314 pages

The Paris Wife tells the mostly true story of Ernest Hemingway’s first wife, Hadley Peterson, and their early relationship, the hardships of his up and coming fame, and the eventual downfall of their relationship. This beautifully written tale is a masterpiece of fiction, describing both literary bombshells like Hemingway and Fitzgerald, alongside an evocative story of love, heartbreak, and betrayal.

Sarah’s Key. Tatiana de Rosnay. 316 pages

In 1942, a young girl named Sarah hastily locks her four year old brother Michel in a cabinet during a round up of French Jews at Velodrome d’Hiver, with the promise that she would let him out when it was safe. In modern times, Julia Jarmond, an American journalist, becomes deeply interested in Velodrome d’Hiver and the experiences of Jewish people during both the Holocaust and the German occupation, and begins to unravel many secrets of the past. This masterfully written work uses an excellent contrast between the past and the present to keeps the reader engrossed to the end. 

New Student Reading Maps and One Take 10 List

I have 4 midterms I want to share with you today.  The last three are excellent reading maps done by students in the RA class for their midterms.

But first, those who follow this blog know that some students choose to do a 10 book book talk that I then post as a "Take Ten" list on a certain topic. You can click here to pull up all past lists.  Normally, the students make an annotated list on paper to share with the class, and, in fact, I will have some of those to share with you in the coming days, but this semester, Shira did something that what I am calling a hybrid of a book list/reading map.  Her audience was Young Stroke Survivors and her list is enitlted "Books to Recover With."  Click on through to see her digital annotated list of 10 books.

I also had three very good reading maps turned in.  I will post them below and add them to the permanent reading map archive, found here.

• The Time Traveler's Wife by Margita
• An Abundance of Katherines by Elizabeth
• Doc by Jessica

Great work guys.  As I mentioned above, I will have more student work to highlight in the coming days.

And don't forget about their weekly assignments which show up on the class blog each Wednesday by 6pm.

Take Ten: Science Fiction for Non SF Readers

In honor of the first ever Science Fiction issue of The New Yorker (which just continues to confirm for me why I have been a subscriber for 15 years and counting), Flavorwire made this annotated list of 10 Great Science Fiction Books for People Who Don't Read Sci-Fi.

It also reminded me of my old list of SF for Beginners which I posted on this blog back in May of 2008.

Take Ten: Books for Dog Lovers

Finals projects were presented by the GSLIS 763 students on May 2nd.  Over the next few days, I will be highlighting some of their work.  

First is Katie who presented her book talk of 10 books for Dog Lovers.  She provided a book for every type of reader who wants a  canine focused read.  Enjoy.

EmBARK on a Reading Journey:
A Booklist for Dog Lovers

11)    Dog Stories
By: Various Authors
A sure bet for dog lovers everywhere, this book is an anthology of heartwarming dog tales from the 19^th century to present. Written by various authors (including Mark Twain, James Thurber, Tobias Wolff, and more) these short stories depict all aspects of doghood, with a special focus on how dogs impact the emotional lives of humans. Ranging from funny to heartfelt, fans of all genres will be touched.

22)     One Good Dog
By: Susan Wilson
Grab the tissues! This tearjerker is sure to please anyone who believes dogs have the power to change lives.  In this novel, Adam March loses everything. He goes from a successful soon-to-be-CEO to a divorced, alone, broke, and unemployed criminal.  Sentenced to community service at a homeless shelter, he meets a Pitbull named Chance who is recovering after years in the dog-fighting circuit.  This heartfelt story is one of redemption and rehabilitation—showing a man and a dog’s struggle to overcome their past with the help of one another.

33)     A Dog’s Purpose

By: W. Bruce Cameron
Turns out, humans aren’t the only ones contemplating their life purpose! Told from a dog’s point of view, this is the extraordinary tale of a dog’s search for meaning. This fast-paced and moving novel documents Bailey’s quest for purpose as he is reincarnated several times:  from when he was a puppy removed from his first family by animal control, to his time as a golden retriever and a stray mutt, ending only when he is reincarnated into a black Lab.  This story traces Baileys various adventures as he seeks to answer the question we ALL hope to find the answer to:  Why are we here?

44)     The Art of Racing in the Rain
By: Garth Stein

This popular read tells the story of Enzo, a dog who is sure his next life will be spent in a man’s body, so he wants to be prepared.  Enzo offers readers insight into the pleasures and restrictions of the canine world, all the while commenting on the absurdities of human life as only a dog really could.  Moving, funny, and uplifting, readers will delight in hearing Enzo’s journey from his own point of view as he philosophically evaluates the everyday frustrations and joys of being a dog, while staying completely devoted to his human family.

55)     Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know
By: Alexandra Horowitz
Ever wonder what your furry friend is REALLY thinking? In this book, psychologist Alexandra Horowitz offers insight into the minds of our canine friends, painting us a vivid picture of what things might really be like from a dog’s perspective.  Drawing on her extensive research as well as personal experience with her own dog, she seeks to bring humans and dogs just a little closer by showing us what it’s like to be a dog.  Descriptive and fascinating, dog lovers will enjoy this chance to better understand their dog and also learn what their furry companion is really thinking!

66)     The Dog Who Couldn’t Stop Loving: How Dogs Have Captured Our Hearts for Thousands of Years
By: Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
No animal provides us with love quite the way a dog does.  Bestselling author Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson seeks to find out WHY this is true in this compelling and informative read.  He combines scientific research with personal experience to explore the unique bond between humans and dogs. Examining the 100,000 year relationship between humans and dogs, this book helps readers realize how the man-dog bond is deep and beneficial to BOTH species. This inspirational book helps readers understand why dogs love us, and why, out of all animals, our relationship with dogs is so special. 

77)     My Dog Skip
By: Willie Morris
Dogs truly are man’s best friend, right? In this heartfelt and sentimental memoir, Willie Morris tells of his adventures with his dog, Skip, as he grew up in the South in the 1940s.  Readers everywhere will relate to this classic story of a boy who grew up sharing his life and adventures with his canine best friend.  Hilarious and very touching, this story will have you laughing out loud AND in tears no matter who you are!  Readers will enjoy this book so much they will be RUNNING to rent the largely successful movie adaptation.

88)     Dog Years: A Memoir
By: Mark Doty
Has your dog ever helped you cope during a hard time?  Have you ever felt like your dog has saved your life?  If so, don’t miss this inspiring and remarkable memoir. This is the story of a young man who adopts a dog to help boost the spirits of his partner, who is dying of AIDS.  The dog, malnourished and in need of love, turns into a vital part of the family as he keeps the author from losing all hope during the darkest days of his life.  This sentimental memoir is a commentary on the unconditional love our furry friends provide us with, as well as the lessons dogs can teach us about love, life, and loss.

99)     Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems
By: Cesar Millan
Ever think you could have a more fulfilling relationship with your dog, if he would JUST behave!!? This is the perfect read for dog owners who seek to better understand the needs of their pets.  A must-have book for all dog owners, Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer), outlines the three key elements in the lives of dogs: exercise, discipline, and affection.  With the help of this book, dog owners will learn to transform their dog’s behavior through their OWN behavior, and have the relationship they have always wanted with their dog!

110Dog Heaven
By: Cynthia Rylant
Hope you still have those tissues out!  This tearjerker is a must-read for anyone of ANY age who has ever lost a dog.  The sentimental text is just as powerful as the beautiful illustrations, as author Cynthia Rylant takes readers on a journey through dog heaven.  In dog heaven, dogs play with kids, watch over their still-living companions, eat dog biscuits, chase cats, and sleep on fluffy clouds.  Using simple language and relaxing imagery, this comforting short story will have readers of all ages in tears, yet feeling unbelievably uplifted about the afterlife of their loving companions.  

Take Ten: Gemini - Twins

Today it is Ally's turn.  She had a great idea.  What if library staff got together and made a rotating monthly display to change with the signs of the zodiac.  Using the symbol for the month as inspiration, you could come up with a display.  Her idea included a book talk to be given the night before a new zodiac display went up, highlighting some of the titles.

Since she is a Gemini, Ally tackled that symbol with her 10 book list of a wide range of books featuring twins.  Enjoy.

Gemini - Twins

May 21 – June 21

In My Brother’s Image by Eugene L. Pogany. 2000. 322 pages.  This non-fiction account details the lives of twins Gyorgy (later George) and Miklos.  Born in Hungary to Jewish parents, the family later converted to Catholicism when the boys were still young.  Gyorgy went on to become a priest and find sanctuary in a Catholic monastery during World War II.  Miklos was interned at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.  This true story gives the perspective of both brothers, as well as other members of the Pogany family from World War I, through World War II and into the 1990’s.  It’s a richly detailed, remarkable tale of twins whose special, mysterious bond is destroyed by war and religion.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. 2009. 534 pages. 1954—Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Marion and Shiva Praise Stone, are born to an Indian nun and a British surgeon.  This lyrically descriptive and compelling saga follows the twins’ initial separation (they were born connected at the skull), through their boyhood (where they are nearly inseparable), their emotional separation as young adults and their final connection as middle-aged adults.  This richly and lusciously description of Ethiopia on the brink of revolution is also a haunting and moving family saga that has many of the same appeals as The Kite Runner.

Chang and Eng by Darin Strauss. 2000. 321 pages.  This compelling and richly detailed fictionalized account of the famous Siamese twins is told through Eng’s perspective. Though most people know of the twins made famous in P.T. Barnum’s travelling circus, not many know what happened to them after they left the circus.  Though fictionalized, this novel, allow people to feel emotionally connected to the twins and gives insight to what it may have been like for the physically connected, though emotionally separated, men.

Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. 1989. 347 pages.

This picaresque novel full of black humor questions our notions of what is normal and what is freakish.  The Binewskis are a carny family who, through the use of various drugs, insecticides and radioactivity, breed their own “circus freaks”. Publishers Weekly calls it a “raw, shocking view of the human condition, a glimpse of the tormented people who live on the fringe, makes readers confront the dark, mad elements in every society. …a brilliant, suspenseful, heartbreaking tour de force.”

The Butcher of Beverly Hills by Jennifer Colt. 2005. 344 pages. Red-headed identical twins Kerry and Terry McAfee have nothing in common besides their looks and their profession – private investigators.  What starts off as a seemingly simple case of finding a 70 year old socialite’s 28 year old runaway husband quickly becomes a much more dangerous and complicated matter.  This is a quick, fun mystery with snappy dialog and humorous insight to the very wealthy older ladies in Beverly Hills. Not to mention there is a very hunky detective!

Thursday’s Child by Sandra Brown. 1985. 209 pages.  Besides their looks, identical twins Alison and Ann are completely different from each other.  Although they used to switch roles all the time growing up, trouble ensues when Ann’s fiancé’s best friend, Spencer, falls for Alison who is pretending to be Ann.  But will Spencer still feel the same way about her when he finds out Alison is actually nerdy scientist Alison?  This is a feel good, light-hearted steamy read with a happy ending, sure to please readers who “delight in lovers and their uneven pursuit of mutual fulfillment and happiness” (from the author’s note).

Full Moon Rising by Keri Author. 2006. 291 pages.  This steamy, suspenseful urban fantasy, the first in a series, centers around half vampire/half werewolf Riley as she searches for her twin brother, Rhoan.  The twins both work for Melbourne’s Directorate of Other Races, an organization that polices the supernatural races and when Rhoan, an assassin, is kidnapped, Riley sets out to find her brother. This all happens during the moon heat, which is the weeklong period before the full moon when werewolves are at their most sensual.  Though she has two partners ready to fulfill her needs, Riley meets her match in sexy vampire Quinn. Between the moon heat and some dangerous cloning masterminds after her and Rhoan, will Riley be able to save her twin?

The Dark Half by Stephen King. 1989. 431 pages. Author Thad Beaumont “kills off” his alter ego after it is discovered it is actually Thad writing the grisly novels, not George Stark, Thad’s pen name.  After a spread in People in which Thad and his wife stand over the fake grave stone of George Stark (whose epitaph reads “Not a Very Nice Guy”), people connected to Thad/George Stark are gruesomely murdered.  All clues point to Thad, but it can’t be him…could it really be his alter ego? This grisly, menacing, character driven horror story is a fast-paced read sure to creep out lots of horror fans.

Whatever it Takes by Gwynne Forster. 2005. 272 pages.  Lacette and Kellie are identical twins that have very unidentical personalities.  Lacette has her life together and is a respectable young lady.  Kellie, on the other hand, is morally inept and leads a rather questionable, less than noble life. She’s always wanted everything that Lacette has worked so hard to get, taking everything from toys to boys from Lacette. But now that they are 33 years old the stakes are higher (a good man in fiancé Rawlins) and Lacette’s life is on the line, will Kellie step up and finally do what’s right or will she finally get everything she wants? Many lessons are learned in this old fashioned values centered novel that will bring up lots of discussion points—it also includes a discussion guide at the end.

The Last Child by John Hart.  2009. 373 pages.  Twins Johnny and Alyssa shared a special sense of belonging that only they understood.  But then, mysteriously, Alyssa disappeared and the perfect family with the warm home is destroyed.  With his father gone and his mom taking up with an abuse sleaze, Johnny sets out to uncover the mystery of what happened to his family. Edgar-winning author Hart’s intricately plotted, fast-paced psychological thriller is a bit gritty, but moving and dramatic. Received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and Kirkus.

Take Ten: Zombie Encounters at the Library

Today, I want to share Tracy's midterm booktalk entitled, "Zombie Encounters at the Library."  From her paper setting the scene for the talk:

For this project I have imagined my audience to be a group of teen and adult patrons who have come to the library for a program on the history of zombie movies.

...I also assume something involving zombies would attract more teenagers than a program typically would, so I wanted to be conscientious the patrons could be newcomers to the zombie subgenre in literature. I also realize some audience members may devour horror literature but may have not known about the sheer variety of genres zombies are featured in. 

...I thought it would be important to remind the patrons of books which are popular thanks to adaptations while also showing some classics of the subgenre, and popular books from a few years ago that may get buried in the collection. Another critical assumption I made was the audience would be well-versed in popular zombie films, but not the literature that might be similar to those films. Since I would be booktalking to two different patron pools, I wanted to include YA books with adult appeal and vice versa.

...I wanted the booktalk to explore the many different genres that zombies can be incorporated in. I think the topic is often represented in a better variety than people initially think it is.

So that's the set-up.  I have to say, when Tracy delivered this talk she did an excellent job.  I also agree that she did make sure to offer zombie books from a variety of genres that would appeal to adults and teens alike.  And, I applaud her for tackling zombies, knowing full well that her Instructor (me) is a huge zombie fanatic.

Here is her list in simple text format.  Again, like Elissa's list yesterday, Tracy did make a snazzy handout for the class, but for here, I am going for efficiency.

Zombie Encounters at the Library...

Austen, Jane and Seth Grahame-Smith. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Quirk Classics, 2009.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” Pride and Prejudice and Zombies takes the hilarious romance of Austen mixed with modern humor and zombie outbreaks to delight new and old fans alike.

Roux, Madeline. Allison Hewitt is Trapped. St. Martin’s Griffin, 2010.

This story features a bookstore clerk who barricades herself at work when a regular customer’s head is devoured by one of the undead. This experimental piece also has the heroine creating a blog documenting her attempts to survive along with a fair dose of sarcasm, literary allusions, and a zombie squirrel. 

Maberry, Jonathan. Patient Zero. St. Martin’s Griffin, 2009.

Detective John Ledger is charged with a secret mission by the U.S. government to contain a terrorist created bioweapon that could turn the entire country into mindless, bloodthirsty corpses. The plot-driven, fact-paced action balances descriptions of special ops missions and terrorist conspiracies with familiar scenes of creepy horror as the agents combat hoards of zombies created as a result of the virus. If you like survival horror games check this one out.

Martinez, A. Lee. Gil’s All Fright Diner. Tor, 2005.

This is the humorous tale of a werewolf (Duke) and vampire (Earl) getting paid off to help a Southern diner deal once and for all with the pesky zombies cutting into business courtesy of a nearby graveyard. This comedy-horror features raunchy humor mixed with action and is sure to appeal to readers looking for something light. 

Black, Holly and Justine Larbalestier. Zombies vs. Unicorns. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010.

This anthology is here to answer the ultimate question you never asked yourself: who would win in an all-out war between zombies and unicorns? A group of well-known, diverse authors tackle the question in different ways, leaving all the rotting limbs and magical horns on the battlefield.

Marion, Issac. Warm Bodies. Atria Books, 2011.

This is an original retelling of Romeo and Juliet starring a zombie who falls in love with a girl after eating her boyfriend’s brains and absorbing his thoughts of her. This bittersweet, legit zombie love story is perfect for the paranormal romance crowd.

Davis, Wade. The Serpent and the Rainbow. Touchstone, 1985.

No zombie lover’s credentials are set till they get a fair dose of old-school reality. The Serpent and the Rainbow is the true story of a Harvard scientist’s encounter with zombies in Haiti. Wade Davis’s book reads like an adventure story as he explains the combination of scientific poisons and mystical magic that create mindless slaves who rise up to obey their master’s command. 

Moody, David. Hater. St. Martin’s Press, 2006.

This story follows an average man trying to make ends meet for his family when the city is suddenly overrun by a rage virus that makes normal people violently lash out at anyone not infected. A compelling, unexpected twist on a popular storyline makes this a refreshing entry to the zombie subgenre. It is set to be adapted to film, and would appeal to any fans of 28 Days Later. 

Adams, John Joseph, ed. The Living Dead. Night Shade Books, 2008.

I would dare say this is the go-to book for people who do not think they like zombie stories or books. Or who need more a variety of writing styles and genres. This is a short story collection from a number of familiar authors and even characters who have encounters with the undead. The writing is engaging and rich, and offers a range that should appease new and old readers alike. 

Kirkman, Robert. The Walking Dead. Image Comics, 2003-present.

The Walking Dead is an extremely fast-paced, unpredictable comic series following Rick Grimes as he attempts to protect his family following the zombie apocalypse. The series thrives on interpersonal dynamics as struggles where other humans are the deadliest threat in a world overrun by the undead. 

Take Ten: Historical Fiction Through Time

Today's student work is by Elissa who is a 9th Grade Honors World History teacher in Chicago.  She was able to create a midterm booktalk that she ended up using with her students.  In her own words:

For my thematic booklist, I chose to include historical fiction books that align with my world history curriculum.  By aligning the booklist with my curriculum, my students will expand their knowledge of the topics we study throughout the year.

...I chose this topic for my audience because I want them to continue learning outside the classroom.  The reading in my class tends to be from the text book, primary sources, or articles from history magazines.  While the titles on my list are historical fiction books, the students can still get a better understanding about the time period/subject they are reading about.  Also, part of their assignment will include research of the actual topic/time period they are reading about.  This will help them to discern fact from the historical fiction that they will be reading.    

So, she broke up her curriculum and suggested historical fiction for them to read.  These books are all included on "Adult Books for Young Adults" so that they are still appropriate for her 14 year old students.  

Below is her annotated list in a simple text format (not the snazzy handout she made for class).  I am also happy to report that she gave this booktalk to her classes and they all were very excited to start reading.

Historical Fiction:  10 Eras in 10 Books

Ancient Rome

Pompeii by Robert Harris

Newly appointed engineer Marcus Atiilius must discover why the aqueducts surrounding the Bay of Naples have failed.  Investigating a string of mysterious natural occurrences, Atillius finds himself at the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius on the eve of its eruption.  In a compelling drama filled with details of the corrupt and excessive lifestyle of ancient Rome, aqueducts, and volcanology, Pompeii brings to life one of the most infamous natural disasters in history. 

Also Try:  Imperium by Robert Harris 

Black Death

Year of Wonders:  A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks

Widowed at 18, Anna Firth takes in a lodger from London who inadvertently brings the plague into her home.  When the plague begins to kill indiscriminately, the villagers decided to quarantine themselves to prevent the further spread of the plague.   The vivid descriptions of the plague, an inspiring, well-drawn protagonist, and an engrossing storyline create both a haunting and powerful novel.

Also Try:  The Plague Tales by Ann Benson

Renaissance

Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

16-year-old Griet becomes the subject of a Vermeer painting while working as his maid.  As others learn of the painting, rumors begin to circulate through town of the growing intimacy between Griet and Vermeer causing trouble for the young maid.  This dramatic coming-of-age novel provides a detailed look at the elusive Vermeer and life during 16^th century Holland.

Also Try:  The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

Conquest of the Americas

Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende

Ines Suarez travels from her home in Spain to the New World to find her missing husband.  Upon learning of her husband’s death, Suarez finds a new love and together they help found the colony of Chile. Told in letter form, this richly detailed depiction of the conquest and colonization of Chile is a sophisticated work of literary fiction. 

Also Try:  Feathered Serpent:  A Novel of the Mexican Conquest by Colin Falconer

French Revolution

The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette by Carolly Erickson

In a secret diary, Marie Antoinette chronicles her life, describing her childhood as princess of Austria, her arranged marriage to the Dauphin of France, her reign as Queen of France, and her downfall during the French Revolution.  Filled with details of courtly life during 18^th century France, this dramatic work provides a look at the excessive lifestyle and tragic demise of one of the most notorious queens in history.

Also Try:  The Red Necklace: A Story of the French Revolution by Sally Gardner

Colonization of Africa

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

When European missionaries attempt to ‘westernize’ his tribe, Okonkwo struggles to preserve his traditional culture.  This bleak novel, filled with details of tribal culture, describes the tragic collapse of an African tribe and its customs. 

Also Try:  The Fire of Origins by Emmanuel Dongala

India:  colonialism, culture, and castes - early 20^th century

The House of Blue Mangoes by David Davidar

The House of Blue Mangoes follows the Dorais, an Indian family, through three generations as they struggle with classism, racism, and colonialism.  The introspective characters and vivid depictions of Indian culture create an engrossing family saga. 

Also Try:  Keeping Corner by Kashmira Sheth

World War Two

When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe

Using multiple points of view, When the Elephants Dance, tells the story of the Karangalan family and their friends as they struggle to survive the final weeks of the Japanese occupation of Manila during World War II.  Hiding in a cellar and encountering danger every time they venture out, the family tells traditional stories to help pass the time.  With well-developed characters and an engrossing plot, this bleak novel expertly weaves the ravages of war with traditional Filipino stories to create a powerful work of historical fiction. 

Also Try:  The Children’s War by Monique Charlesworth

Vietnam War

The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli

As a combat photographer during the Vietnam War, Helen Adams comes face to face with the ravages of war on a daily basis.  In the midst of war, Adams finds herself torn between two men: an American journalist and an ex- Vietnamese soldier.   The heartwarming love story weaved within the graphic depictions of war torn Vietnam provides a glimmer of hope. 

Also Try:  Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers

1994 Rwandan Genocide

Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron

Jean Patrick Nkuba, a talented young Tutsi runner, dreams of representing Rwanda in the Olympics.   When ethnic tensions increase and a civil war begins, Jean must run from the country he loves in order to ensure his survival.  The inspiring character of Jean Patrick gives us a glimmer of hope in this stark and haunting novel of death and destruction.

Also Try:  Broken Memory:  A Story of Rwanda by Elisabeth Combres

Take 10: Hot Reads For Cold Nights

I am heading back from a vacation in New England today.  Where I was it turned bitter cold yesterday. Seriously, the high was 5!  But back in Chicago I hear it is going to be close to 50 by the end of the week.

But my brief encounter with true winter temperatures has reminded me of my student Christi's list for her final paper.  She presented a book talk entitled "Hot Reads for Cold Nights." What I liked about this talk is how she considered different "heat sources."

Enjoy the list and look for more from Christi in the coming months as she will be joining the BPL RA Dream Team for the spring semester as part of her course work for her Masters degree.

Heat Source: Location

The Beach by Alex Garland
When a young man travelling through Thailand receives a map to a remote island paradise he believes he has found Eden, but the commune living on the island is not completely what it seems. Despite the warm, tropical location, this novel has a dark and gritty edge.

Duma Key by Stephen King
When a construction accident causes Edgar Freemantle to lose his arm, his anger, and ultimately his wife, he moves to Duma Key off the coast of Florida to recuperate. There, he discovers a love of painting that may not come entirely from himself. This intricately plotted novel takes place in a warm setting and has a creepy and compelling tone.

Nature Girl by Carl Hiassen
Honey Santana has an issue with telemarketers interrupting her dinner time. It’s worse when they subsequently insult her. When Boyd Shreave commits this most grievous of sins, Santana decides to teach him a lesson. What results is an offbeat and funny adventure through the Florida wilderness.


Heat Source: Heartwarming

Rainwater by Sandra Brown
Living in Texas during the Depression, single mother Ella Barron runs a boarding house to support herself and her son Solly who has autism. A new boarder, David Rainwater, turns life upside down for mother, child, and the entire town. This heartwarming and romantic story takes place in a warm location and contains historical details.

I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg
Former Miss Alabama, Maggie Fortenberry, has a plan to kill herself. With the housing market crash affecting her job as a real estate agent, she feels like a failure. However, her suicidal plans keep getting put on hold as her life just keeps getting in the way. This heartwarming novel has a relaxed pace and a funny and upbeat tone.

Heat Source: Steamy

Just for Kicks by Susan Anderson
Opposites attract in this steamy romance novel. Carly is a Vegas showgirl who loves the single life. Wolfgang works as a security guard at the casino where Carly dances and wants a wife and stable home life. When Wolfgang’s nephew comes to visit and strikes up a friendship with Carly, he decides to try and play matchmaker between his uncle and his new friend. This racy tale is fast-paced, funny and takes place in the desert to boot!

A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton
Meredith Gentry works as a private investigator working on supernatural cases in LA. She also happens to be half-faerie and hiding from her aunt who is the Queen of Air and Darkness. When her cover is blown, she finds herself playing a part in her aunt’s power games which include seducing a lot of men. This extremely steamy fantasy novel is both dramatic and compelling.

Heat Source: Heartpumping

The Husband by Dean Koontz
While working, gardener Mitch receives a call that his wife has been kidnapped and is being held for a two million dollar ransom. With no where near the amount of money the kidnappers are asking for, Mitch must follow instructions in order to get his wife back safely. This intricately plotted novel has a suspenseful feel.

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
Working out of Port Royal, Jamaica in 1665, Captain Charles Hunter has just been hired to find a crew and commandeer a Spanish Galleon filled with gold. He and his motley crew of pirates, all with their own specialties, go on an adventure through the Caribbean. This fast-paced, dramatic and suspenseful novel contains historical details about pirate life.

Reamde by Neal Stephenson
A virus has been inserted into a popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game which holds the player’s electronic files for ransom. Richard, the creator of the game, and his niece go on a fast-paced adventure to apprehend the hackers and run into many more villains. This technothriller is complex and reads like a video game.

Trending: Rural Noir [including a bonus Take 10]

Brian W, wrote a very original and interesting paper about an emerging genre, which he is calling "Rural Noir." From Brian's paper with his permission:

“Rural noir” is a somewhat difficult genre to define precisely. I have also seen it referred to as “Appalachian noir,” but I opted for the more general name because the settings of these books vary; not all of them are set in Appalachia, although a few are. These books tell dark and gritty stories, often involving crime and violence, about characters in rural settings and desperate circumstances. The characters are generally either working-class or impoverished, and their environment is typically characterized by all-consuming destitution, immorality and violence. There is a high degree of variation with respect to storyline and pacing; these books can be fast-paced and suspenseful, or they can be more deliberate with a greater emphasis on description; or, perhaps most likely, they can exist in a middle ground incorporating both suspenseful storytelling and character-based deliberation.

In contrast to the bleakness in tone and plot, the prose style of these novels is often beautifully descriptive and lyrical. Indeed, I believe it is this very contrast that lies at the heart of the genre’s appeal. These authors imbue their desolate rural settings and morally bankrupt characters with grace and poignancy simply by virtue of their delicate, intricate language. This is why the target audience for these books represents a crossover between readers of literary fiction and readers of tough crime fiction or noir. These books do not necessarily conform to the conventions of traditional “noir”—for instance, they are rarely mysteries or detective stories—but the noir label is appropriate because of the books’ intensely bleak worldviews and focus on criminal activity.

Despite the harshness, these books often contain a central character who endeavors to escape his or her bleak environment, or at least gain some measure of justice or peace within it. Here, emphasis is often placed on vengeance or survival tactics. These struggles—sometimes tied to coming-of-age stories—introduce an element of hope, the possibility that the protagonist can survive the trials of his or her dismal surroundings and emerge with dignity and future intact.

 Brian goes on to talk about the ten books he chose to compile into a book talk.  His goal was for these ten books to serve as an introduction to the genre.  Again in  Brian's words:

Rural noir is a relatively new genre that has been gaining traction very recently. Eight of the ten books on this booklist were published between 2005 and 2011; three of those (Once Upon a River, The Devil All the Time, and Crimes in Southern Indiana) were all released within the past six months. The other two (Dogs of God and A Single Shot) came out in the ‘90s, and can be considered precursors to the current proliferation of the genre, although they are both considered excellent examples of rural noir. The currency of this genre is one reason why librarians and patrons could both benefit from a spotlighting of rural noir, especially considering that none of these books are major bestsellers or widely read despite the genre’s increasingly hip standing

I was both impressed and intrigued by Brian's paper and wanted to make sure you were all aware of this big trend.  I would also like to thank him for letting me share it with all of you.  From Winter's Bone the book AND movie to the popularity of the the TV show Justified, Rural Noir is definitely an emerging genre which needs to be on your radar.


So here is Brian's ten book list of Rural Noir with appeal based annotations.


Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell (2006) 
Set in a tough Ozarks community where seemingly everyone has criminal ties to the meth trade, this novel follows teenage girl Ree Dolly as she tries to locate her missing father. The appeal of this book lies in the contrast between Woodrell’s lyrical language and the bleak, harsh realism of the setting and characters, as well as the suspense-generating plot structure. Ree’s resilience and bravery in the face of her hellish circumstances gives the reader a ray of hope .

Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell (2011)

Set in rural Michigan, this novel follows sixteen-year-old Margo Crane as she fends for herself on a perilous river journey in search of her lost mother. The prose is simple, but Campbell emphasizes the details of how Margo survives on her own. Gritty violence is balanced with tender emotion. Fans of Winter’s Bone who enjoyed that book’s strong young heroine, journey structure, and rural grit should seek out this novel.

Serena by Ron Rash (2008)

Set in the North Carolina mountains in 1929, this novel follows a married couple who attempt to start a timber empire, but their greed leads to murder. Beautiful descriptions of the natural Appalachian landscape butt heads with the brutality of the violence committed by the characters, particularly anti-heroine Serena, who has been compared to such evil women of literature as Lady Macbeth.

Dogs of God by Pinckney Benedict (1994)
Set in rural West Virginia, this thriller revolves around a backwoods drug lord named Tannhauser, a young boxer named Goody, and the grotesque lowlifes they encounter. Benedict etches these characters through multiple points of view, and lays on the Appalachian atmosphere thickly. 

Rain Gods by James Lee Burke (2009)

Hackberry Holland, the new sheriff of a small Texas border town, investigates the murder of nine prostitutes and finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game with a preacher turned serial killer. The prose is lyrical and thoughtful but the book has the pacing of a thriller, and the tone is gritty and dark. It is also character-centered, with psychology of both the sheriff and the killer.

The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock (2011)

Set in rural Ohio and West Virginia, this novel follows a group of violent characters from the 1940s through the 1960s. The style is blunt and plain, the story is engrossing, and the numerous characters are well-drawn and memorable despite the book’s brevity; Pollock treats even the worst of them with empathy and compassion. At the center of the book is another coming-of-age protagonist fighting to escape (or at least find justice in) this bleak landscape.

Go With Me by Castle Freeman (2008)

In Vermont hill country, a young woman named Lillian is menaced by local villain Blackway, and enlists the help of an old mill proprietor and his Greek Chorus-like companions to fight back. The book is suspenseful and gritty, but also has a playful sense of humor that is not usually present in these books.

A Single Shot by Matthew F. Jones (1996)

Set in an unnamed mountain town, this novel follows John Moon, a poacher who accidentally shoots a teenage girl and pockets the $100,000 he finds on her; it turns out the girl was linked to a couple of criminals, who come looking for the money. This book may be the most intense and frightening on this list.  It has detailed descriptions and the protagonist is complex.

Crimes in Southern Indiana  by Frank Bill (2011)

A short story collection set in southern Indiana (as the title indicates). Each gritty story focuses on violent men struggling to find solutions to the messes of their lives. The tone is despairing and bleak; the desperate, blue-collar characters are complex; the style is terse and hard-boiled. Some of the characters recur in different stories.

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (2005)

Set in the Southwest, McCarthy’s novel—the inspiration for the Oscar-winning film by the Coen brothers—follows Texan man Llewellyn Moss as he steals a stash of money and heroin he finds on a dead man. A local sheriff and a psychotic hired killer enter the mix as McCarthy meditates on violence and the nature of good and evil. Gritty, lyrical, stylistically complex.

Take 10: Steampunk

Remember back in October when I wrote this "Trending" post about Steampunk?  Well, one of my students was listening.

New to RA for All or just don't know what steampunk is?  Click here first and then come back to continue.

Jason said that this post made him realized that many of his favorite books fit into the steampunk aesthetic and he decided to explore it further in a book talk by creating this annotated list of steampunk novels.

Click here to access his Prezi presentation which includes the annotations and explore this popular subgenre of science fiction for yourself.

Take 10: Fiction for Foodies

Last night marked the end of another semester of warping the minds of-- oh wait, I mean teaching-- future readers advisors at Dominican as the students presented their final projects.  The bad news for me is that I will be frantically grading terms papers and presentations over the next 2 days.

But, the good news for you, the readers of this blog is that these students did a lot of great work and I will spend the next few days sharing it with all of you.

Back when I started RA for All in August of 2007, I was motivated by two factors. First, I wanted to way to promote the great work we Readers Advisors do to help readers each and every day.  But, second, I had been so impressed with the work my RA students were producing that I wanted a way to share it with the wider world.

Nights like last night, prove I have not wasted the last 4 years of my life.  We had so many interesting annotated reading lists and reading maps last night that I am excited, happy, and proud to share them with all of you.

Today I will begin with Brigitte's fabulous annotated list entitled "Fiction for Foodies."  Note that along with her excellent annotations which strike a balance between plot and appeal, she also includes 3 more readalike options for each title.  So you are really getting 40 suggestions in this list of 10 titles.  These titles also appeal to a wide range of readers, and include options in many genres.

Also, please note that any original lists by myself, my co-workers at the BPL or my students get the tag "Take Ten."  You can use this tag to access more great reading lists.  Look back here to RA for All for more in the coming days.

So here is Brigitte's "Fiction for Foodies" list:


Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin
This novel’s protagonist is Angel Tungaraza, a passionate baker living in an international apartment complex in post-genocide Rawanda. Her neighbors come to her for her wisdom, as well as her baked goods. This book may appeal to readers interested in baking, stories with strong female characters, or African Fiction.

Read-Alikes: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rawanda by Rosamond Halsey Carr
The Calligrapher’s Daughter: A Novel by Eugenia Kim


Crescent: a Novel by Diana Abu Jabar
Thirty-nine-year-old Sirene works as a chef in a Lebanese restaurant owned by her overprotective but loving family. Sirene leads a relatively sheltered existence, until she falls in love with one of her customers… a handsome professor of Arabic literature. He, in turn, falls in love with her cooking. This book may appeal to readers interested in stories about Middle Eastern cuisine, family-owned restaurants, or women in Arabic culture.

Read-Alikes: A Map of Home: A Novel by Randa Jarrar
Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea
The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf: A Novel by Mohja Kahf

Gourmet Rhapsody by Muriel Barbery
On his death bed, French food critic Pierre Arthens tries to recall the one perfect flavor he tasted in his youth, a memory which he believes has influenced the course of his entire life. This book may appeal to readers interested in food critics and French cuisine, or stories about memories and dying wishes.

Read-Alikes: Food and Culture: A Reader by Carole Counihan
Remembrance of Repasts: Anthropology of Food and Memory by David E. Sutton
We Are What We Ate: 24 Memories of Food by Mark Winegardner

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
Because of her supernatural ability to taste the emotions of others in the foods they have cooked, Rose Edelstein gains unwanted insight into the secret feelings of those around her. As a result, she grows up to regard food as a curse and a burden. This book may appeal to readers who enjoy cooking and eating, or readers who enjoy books with a unique premise or gifted characters with special abilities, especially children.

Read-Alikes: The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To by DC Pierson
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran
Three sisters, Marjan, Layla and Bahar Aminpour, flee the Islamic Revolution in Iran and seek refuge in Ireland, where they open the exotic Babylon Café, drawing curiosity (and in some cases, trepidation) from the locals. This book may appeal to readers interested in the Islamic Revolution, immigration, cultural fusion, and the restaurant business.

Read-Alikes: Chocolat by Joanne Harris
The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

The Recipe Club: a Tale of Food and Friendship by Andrea Israel
Lilly and Val have been friends since childhood. They correspond through a series of letters, which include their favorite recipes. Following a long separation, Lilly and Val must decide whether their friendship is salvageable. This book may appeal to readers who enjoy cooking and recipe swaps, or to readers who enjoy books about women’s lives and relationships.

Read-Alikes: A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball
Friendship Bread: A Novel by Darien Gee
The Owl & Moon Café by Jo-Ann Mapson

Roux Morgue by Claire Johnson
San Francisco pastry chef Mary Ryan is excited to begin her new job as an instructor at a prestigious culinary institute. Unfortunately, her first week is soured by the presence of homicide detective O'Connor, investigating a series of strange food-related deaths at the school. This book may appeal to
readers who enjoy books with culinary themes and chef protagonists, or readers who enjoy murder mysteries.

Read-Alikes: A Good Day to Pie by Carol Culver
Death by the Dozen by Jenna McKinlay
Tragic Toppings: A Donut Shop Mystery by Jessica Beck

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
Eight students gather in Lillian's Restaurant every Monday night for cooking class. Each character faces difficulties in his or her own personal life. Lillian teaches them to use cooking as a means of therapeutic escape. This book may appeal to readers with an interest in cooking and restaurant ownership, or readers who enjoy books with an emphasis on human relationships.

Read-Alikes: Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson
How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neil
The Love Goddess’ Cooking School by Melissa Senate

The Various Flavors of Coffee by Anthony Capella
In 1896 London, poet Robert Wallis accepts a commission from coffee merchant Samuel Pinker to categorize and describe coffee flavors. He falls in love in the process, with his lovely assistant… Pinker's daughter, Emily. This book will appeal to readers with an interest in coffee, 19th century London, poetry, and romance.

Read-Alikes: The Coffee Trader: A Novel by David Liss
The Devil’s Cup: A History of the World According to Coffee by Stewart Lee Allen
Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How it Changed Our World by Mark Pengergrast

White Truffles in Winter by N.M. Kelby
This is a historical novel based on the life of legendary French chef Auguste Escoffier. Escoffier was torn between love of his wife, poet Delphine Daffis, and his mistress, actress Sarah Bernhardt. The sensuality of food is discussed against a backdrop of romance. This book will appeal to readers with an interest in French chefs and French cuisine, historical fiction, intrigue and romance.

Read-Alikes: Escoffier: Le Guide Culinaire by Auguste Escoffier
The Paris Wife: A Novel by Paula McLain
Sarah: The Life of Sarah Bernhardt by Robert Gottlieb

Take Ten: Oh, the Place You'll Go

To start your weekend, why not check out one of these 10 titles of worldwide travel and self-discovery compiled by Cassie for her midterm book talk in GSLIS 763.  Thanks for sharing Cassie.  There are some great books here.

As spring is trying to get going here in IL (it is still losing the battle at the moment), some armchair travel may help make the waiting go faster.  For more armchair travel titles, I would also suggest that you check out Book Lust to Go: Recommended Reading for Travelers, Vagabonds, and Dreamers by Nancy Pearl.

For other 10 book lists compiled by me or my students, click here.

Have a nice weekend.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! 

Tales of Worldwide Travel and Journeys of Self-Discovery 

 

 In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson provides an amusing, conversational blend of cultural history and travelogue in this exploration of Australia, seamlessly mixing facts and trivia with his own delightful observations. 

Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman 

When successful children’s writer Rita Golden Gelman underwent a painful divorce, she decided to pursue a latent interest in travel and adopted a nomadic lifestyle, owning only what she could carry. Along the way, Gelman develops a greater appreciation for other cultures as she makes colorful friends in this engrossing and adventurous memoir. 

Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson 

A Gypsy’s prophecy – that Rose Mae’s abusive husband will kill her unless she kills him first – sets her on a cross-country journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and family reconciliation. Jackson’s moving prose oozes with Southern charm and good humor. 

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home by Rhoda Janzen 

Rhoda Janzen returns to the Mennonite family she left behind after a series of personal tragedies. With honesty and self-deprecating humor, Janzen reflects on her family and how she managed to get back on her feet. 

Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor 

Sue Monk Kidd and her grown daughter Ann come to terms with their changing roles in life when they take a trip to Greece to celebrate Sue’s 50th birthday.  The ladies draw strength from the Grecian sights and rediscover their bond. 

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver 

In turns heartbreaking and uplifting, Kingsolver’s plucky heroine Taylor Greer leaves dead-end Kentucky behind for the West. When her car breaks down and she is saddled with an abandoned child, Taylor takes on motherhood, discovering that love can emerge and thrive from the places where suffering and rage once reigned. 

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen 

This quirky novel is accented by illustrations and footnotes from 12-year-old narrator and prodigy, T.S. Spivet. When he travels to Washington, D. C. to accept an award, he meets a colorful cast of characters. Entries from his mother’s journal reveal the parallels between T.S.’s life and his scientist grandmother. 

McCarthy’s Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland by Pete McCarthy 

Pete McCarthy strikes the right note between moving and humorous as he visits western Ireland, meeting numerous colorful characters along the way. Amidst the hilarity are astute observations of Irish social change. 

Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez 

When Deborah Rodriguez joins a humanitarian aid effort in Afghanistan, she bonds with the Afghan women and opens a beauty school. The strength she draws from her pupils allows her to come to terms with her own brutal past.  

The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian 

Ella and John Robina are octogenarians in failing health looking for one final adventure as they pack up their RV and head to Disneyland.  Told with great sensitivity and good humor, this is a touching tale of living life on one’s own terms.