| We’re
shocked at BookEnds how fast the summer is flying past, but
we’re trying to slow it down with a good book. Luckily,
there are a myriad of books to please everyone. There are
the highly anticipated showstoppers from the likes of John
Irving, Cormac McCarthy, David McCullough and J. K. Rowling
that are still selling like hotcakes, but there are
plenty of other less known blockbusters to bring to the beach
or to curl up with on a porch swing. Whatever your literary
delight, savor August before the leaves begin turning, and
the best place to read is by the fireplace. Below are some
of our favorites.
Dede
writes: In paperback, These is my Words
(0060987510)  by
Nancy Turner is a riveting story about settling
the Arizona Territory in the late 1900's. Told in the form
of a journal, the feisty young narrator survives attack by
Indians and outlaws, suffers the loss of family members and
deals with rattlesnakes, scorpions and disease. She comes
upon an abandoned wagon full of books and thus begins her
education. Her longing to learn keeps her holding on to life.
All this would seem to be a fantastic story, but the novel
is based on the author's great-grandmother's letters and stories.
Her sequel, Sarah’s Quilt
(0312332629),
was published this spring.
Also in
paperback, Claire Cook’s Must Love Dogs
(0451217217)
is a light, fun read and has just been made into a movie starring
Diane Lane and John Cusack. The author lives in Scituate,
Massachusetts, and the setting of the book is Boston's South
Shore. There is still time to read one more "beach book,"
so perhaps this would be a good choice.
Freddy
and Fredericka (1594200548)
by Mark Helprin is a new, fat hardcover novel.
In late July, the book received a rave review from Michiko
Kakutani, the very strict book critic from The New York Times.
She felt it was a comic tour de force, and I can't wait to
read it. Ms. Kakutani has been dismissing famous writers’
new novels left and right lately, so if she likes this one
it must be above average! (Helprin must be thanking his luck
stars.) Freddy and Fredericka are British royals forced to
come to the United States to earn their way anonymously.
Alice
writes: It’s worth mentioning that a couple
of popular authors have new books being published this month.
Roland Merullo, author of The Revere Beach
Elegy (0807072451)
and In Revere in those Days (0375714057),
has finished writing his newest, A Little Love Story (1400048672).
The novel is (of course) a romance about two people (in Massachusetts)
with a good amount of emotional baggage starting a relationship.
A critic in Booklist wrote, “There is nothing little
about this love story. It is big and heroic and beautiful
and tragic.” Also, Anita Diamant, the
well-loved local author of The Red Tent (0312195516),
has a new novel, The Last Days of Dogtown (0743225732).
Publisher’s Weekly wrote, “Fans of Diamant's The
Red Tent who were disappointed by her sophomore effort…will
be happy to find her back on historical turf in her latest,
set in early 1800s Massachusetts.” That’s good
news.
I just
finished reading an interesting book by Edward Dolnick,
The Rescue Artist (0060531177).
Using the 1994 theft of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”
as his focal point, the former Boston Globe writer plunges
us into the world of stolen art. Both suspenseful and fascinating,
Dolnick introduces an intriguing cast of characters, the oftentimes
uncomplicated methods of theft, the pathos and psychology
of the crime and its players, and the alarming lack of security
museums have.
Finally,
on Tuesday, August 9th from 7-8 p.m., we’ll
discuss Tova Mirvis’ The Outside World
(1400075289).
The novel, Mirvis’ second, follows twenty-two year old
Tzipporah Goldman, an Orthodox Jewish girl who’s past
her prime for marriage. After many dates arranged by her anxious
mother, Tzippy journeys to Israel where, quite by surprise
and accident, she meets and falls in love with Baruch. Both
funny and touching, Mirvis explores the world of religion,
painting a picture of a world strictly defined by traditions
and laws but still seduced by the “outside world’s”
desires and habits.
Eric
writes: A Whole New Mind (1573223085)
by Daniel Pink is an amazing scientific and
self-help book. The idea behind the book is that in order
to succeed in modern life, one must become more creative,
using not only the logical left brain but also the original
right brain. After arguing this point very convincingly, Pink
then gives many suggestions on ways to increase creativity.
This book is very intriguing.
FROM
THE CHILDREN’S ROOM:
Isabel
writes: Young fans of The Paper Princess (0140564241)
will be pleased to hear that Elisa Kleven has just written
a new story about the Paper Princess and her adventures, The
Paper Princess Flies Again: With Her Dog (1582461465).
For those not familiar with Kleven’s work, she writes
charming stories combined with beautifully detailed folk-art-inspired
illustrations that are ideal for 4-6 year old girls.
If you
are planning a business trip, Home to Me, Home to
You (0316609226)
would be a great addition to your child’s library. Written
by Jennifer Ericsson and illustrated by best-selling
illustrator, Ashley Wolff, this reassuring
story chronicles a mother’s business trip and return
home, alternating between the child’s and mother’s
voices.
For middle-school
readers, you can combine a good read with a fun time cooking!
Student reviewer, Valerie B., aged 13, wrote, “Flavor
of the Week (078685698X)
by Tucker Shaw is an excellent read. It’s
about a boy named Cyril who loves to cook. He has a friend
Rose, who has a soft spot for guys who cook. When Cyril’s
friend, Nick, comes to town and wants to impress Rose, well,
I’ll let you do the math. While I enjoyed reading the
story, my favorite part of the book was the recipes at the
end of each chapter. I thought it was cool that I got to eat
what the characters were eating. Let me tell you, those kitchen-sink
cookies are to die for! I’d give this book two thumbs
up.”
Marilyn
writes: Student reviewer Nicole, aged 10, wrote about
My Friend the Enemy (0375814329)
by J. B. Cheaney. “This book is about
a girl named Hazel. Pearl Harbor was bombed on her birthday,
and now she is on the lookout for Japanese. But what should
she do when she accidentally finds out about one? She learns
about tough decisions and how to say goodbye. A combination
of sadness, suspense and action are what made this book great.”
Student
reviewer Katelyn, aged 13, read The Fashion Disaster
That Changed My Life (0525472223)
by Lauren Myracle. She wrote, “This
is a very good book...about a girl named Alli. She wants seventh
grade to be her breakout year, but on the first day of school
she has a fashion disaster. However, the most popular girl
in school befriends her. Only this doesn't turn out the way
she hoped it would. This is a good story with a nice ending.
I would recommend this book for girls 10-13.”
Sam, aged 12, reviewed The World Of Eldaterra, Volume
One: The Dragon Conspiracy (0060766638)
by P. R. Moredun for us. He wrote, “In
this suspenseful debut novel, there are actually two plots
running parallel to each other. The first, taking place in
1910, is about a 14 year-old boy named James Kinghorn who
one day, while walking on the beach, appears in another world,
peopled by dwarves, elves, and parlanimals. He must then stop
a secret society of dragon women from ruling earth. The second
plot takes place in 1895, and is constantly interrupting the
other story. It concerns two police officers...who are wrapped
up in a case in which many unidentified women have been murdered.
I highly recommend that you read this book, even though it
starts slowly.” This book is best for ages 12 and up.
Meg
Cabot’s Ready or Not: An All-American Novel (0060724501)
was just released to the joy of many of our readers including
our 14 year-old critic, Katie, who wrote, “In this sequel
to Meg Cabot’s previous novel, Samantha Madison is back
a year later from that fated day outside the building where
she was skipping art lessons. She is now: working as more
than just teen ambassador to the United Nations, semipermanently
black-haired, and extremely worried about what she assumes
are her boyfriend’s invitations to spend the night together…And
the president, who happens to be her boyfriend’s father,
needs her support on issues she is personally against, but
she can’t tell the president these personal reasons
because they involve her dating his son…This book was
funny, no matter how serious the issues in it may seem.”
Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Student
reviewer Liza, aged 13, wrote that Kate Brian’s
Lucky T (0689873514)
“was
a really incredible book!...Carrie Fitzgerald is an extremely
superstitious sophomore. And, with her ‘lucky’
tee that her dad gave her after Carrie's parents divorced,
she is also super lucky...But when Carrie loses her lucky
shirt, her entire perfect world begins to crumble...Carrie
travels to India to retrieve her shirt from Help India, a
charity that gives clothes to the homeless in Kolkata, India.
Along the way, Carrie teaches orphans to play basketball,
helps the homeless, finds adventure...and learns she might
be able to make her own luck! This is a must read!”
Recommended for ages 14 and up.
Judy
H writes: Many adult authors are venturing into the
world of young adult literature. I recently read one by Walter
Mosley, the popular mystery writer who’s penned
close to 20 novels. Mosley’s 47 (0316110353),
a blend of science and historical fiction, is about a slave,
47, who meets a runaway slave, Tall John. Tall John helps
47 to rebel against his evil overseer, Calash, and to fight
for his freedom. The book is excellent for middle school teens
and older.
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