To
welcome winter into New England, Gretchen offered this poem
in celebration of November days. Excerpted from the anthology
Garden Poems (0679447261)  ,
the following is the first stanza from “The Garden:
on prospect of a fine day in early autumn” by Robert
Penn Warren:
How kind, how
secret, now the sun
Will bless this garden
frost has won,
And touch once more, as
once it used,
The furled boughs by cold
bemused.
Though summered brilliance
had but room
In blossom, now the leaves
will bloom
Their time, and take from
milder sun
An unreviving benison.
In that spirit, we at Book Ends
feel the blessing of an unfolding literary season. On every
shelf, we have a diverse selection of non-fiction, fiction,
picture books and activity books to please every mother, father,
aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, son and daughter on your list.
We even have a lot of great gifts that aren’t books…
Dede writes: We
have discovered that many people are very organized and are
doing their holiday shopping already! We salute them and offer
some suggestions for fiction choices that are sure to please.
We have written about some of these books earlier, but to
have them on one list may be helpful…
In hardcover, for the women on
your list, Maeve Binchey’s Nights of Rain and
Stars (052594754x),
Jennifer Weiner’s Little Earthquakes
(0743470095),
Justin Cronin’s The Summer Guest (0385335814)
and Alexander McCall Smith’s The Sunday Philosophy
Club (0375422986) are
new novels by trusted writers at the top of their game.
In hardcover, for the men on
your list, we recommend Dark Voyage by Alan Furst
(1400060184),
Eventide by Kent Haruf (0375411585),
Aloft by Chang-Rae Lee (1573222631)
and Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen (0375411089).
Actually, we women at Book Ends have read these novels and
have found them to be excellent—variously comic, suspenseful,
and moving. So many books, so little time!
New paperbacks to put on your
list are Anne Tyler’s The Amateur Marriage
(0345470613)
and Jan Karon’s Shepherds Abiding (0142004855).
This list is just the beginning.
Stop by Book Ends to discover that we are ready and willing
to recommend titles for any age or interest, and we will gift
wrap them in holiday paper. Now all you have to do is to remember
where you hid the presents when the holidays roll around.
Judy H. writes:
Jodi Picoult’s latest novel, My
Sister’s Keeper (0743454529),
explores many moral and ethical questions including the
subject of genetic engineering. Thirteen-year-old Anna Fitzgerald
has hired a lawyer to win medical emancipation from her parents—Sara,
a former lawyer, and Brian, a firefighter. Anna was genetically
conceived as a perfect donor for her older sister, Kate, who
suffers from a rare form of leukemia. After undergoing numerous
medical procedures to save Kate’s life, Anna refuses
to undergo a kidney transplant for her dying sister. As in
other Picoult works, the events of the plot are seen form
various viewpoints. The effects of Anna’s refusal are
seen through the eyes of each family member, including their
older brother, Brian, who deals with the family’s problems
by setting fires. Despite the totally unexpected ending, My
Sister’s Keeper is an excellent read.
Gretchen writes: Susan
Wittig Albert has put a twist on the cozy cottage
mystery in The Tale of Hill Top Farm (0425196348).
She weaves her story around the life of Beatrix Potter, the
author & illustrator of children’s classics, turning
her into a detective. This gentle, original thriller combines
Potter, the villagers of Near-Sawrey as well as fictional
characters like Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Tom Thumb. It is the
first in an intended series. Albert includes an interesting
historical note on Potter’s life, several tasty Sawrey
recipes and a glossary of colloquial words. In the rough and
violent genre of modern mysteries, this novel is an oasis
of peace and offbeat charm.
Julia Spencer-Fleming’s
dark titles belie the generally genial character of her mystery
series, beginning with In the Bleak Midwinter
(0312986769).
Set in small town Miller’s Kill, New York, these novels
feature a highly original heroine: Episcopal priest Clare
Fergusson, who works with the town’s police chief to
help solve crimes. A most interesting element in these books
is the leading character’s inner conflict about these
activities, stemming from her religious convictions.
Ah, the power of the written
word! In September, the MacArthur Foundation granted its annual
“genius awards.” Among the recipients are Edward
P. Jones, author of Pulitzer-winning novel The
Known World (0060557540)
and Californian Rueben Martinez who started
a lending library in his barbershop to promote reading among
Hispanics. Martinez’s taste in books was so good that
his stock disappeared, so he expanded into a bookstore, Libreria
Martinez Books and Arts Gallery, and has since opened a second
store dedicated to children’s books. A true activist,
Martinez also co-founded the Latino Book Festival, which tours
nationally. We must note that, when a boy, Martinez was encouraged
in his avid reading by teachers!
Judy M. writes:
Dorothea Benton Frank’s latest novel,
Shem Creek (0425196089)
is another compulsively readable story, taking us back to
the low-country of South Carolina with all its vivid detail
about nature and the colorful characters. So if you like Pat
Conroy or Anne Rivers Siddons, you are sure to enjoy this
wonderful author.
Mark Frost’s
book, The Greatest Game Ever Played (0786888008),
is finally in paperback. My husband Mike and I loved this
book. The Boston Globe called it “Masterful storytelling…A
must-read for the fanatical golfers among us, and a worthwhile
trip through a largely forgotten era for the rest.”
It’s the story of Francis Ouimet and the legendary battle
at Brookline in the 1913 U.S. Open. And now, Frost has done
it again with The Grand Slam –Bobby Jones, America,
and the Story of Golf (1401301088).
Frost uses a wealth of original research to provide an intimate
portrait of golf great Bobby Jones in the 1930’s. Frost
again blends social history with sports biography. You will
be completely captivated by this amazing story.
Alice writes:
The deluge of books continues with new books coming out from
Jimmy Buffet, George Carlin, Clive Cussler, Janet
Evanovich, Ken Follett, Ha Jin, Nigella Lawson, David Lodge,
Nigel Slater, Jon Stewart and a long list of other
greats. In fact, ‘tis the season for wonderful collections
such as the Best American 2004, The Darwin Awards, the Gourmet
Cookbook and a myriad of almanacs. The following are a couple
of highlights that should appear on our tables and shelves
before mid-month, two authors I love and for whose new novels
I am tapping my feet in anticipation.
Tom Wolfe,
author of The Bonfire of the Vanities and A Man in Full, has
written an ode to the climate of college campuses in the new
millennium. The title character in I am Charlotte
Simmons (0374281580)
learns that sex and alcohol rule university life more than
academics.
Fannie Flagg,
author of Fried Green Tomatoes at Whistle Stop Café,
has written a new novel for the Christmas season, Redbird
Christmas (1400063043).
Oswald Campbell moves to a remote Southern village, expecting
to be dead by the holidays. Of course, there will be a miracle
with lots of feel-good friends and neighbors.
Already available, I recommend
Chris Bohjalian who has created another tense
plot in his most recent novel, Before You Know Kindness
(1400047455).
For nine years, the Seton family has spent a week together
at their country home in NH, but this tenth summer will be
defined by a tragic accident. It is an accident aimed at the
very root of the different personalities within the family.
Bohjalian delves into issues of gun control and vegetarianism
while exposing the personal side of such passionate beliefs.
We can’t keep Khaled
Hosseini’s The Kite Runner (1594480001)
on the shelf—and for good reason. The first novel written
by an Afghan in English, Hosseini presents the story with
a depth of emotion and detail that gives it the feeling of
a memoir. Beautifully written, it is narrated by Amir, the
son of a wealthy widower. When the Russians invade, he and
his father immigrate to California. Later, he returns to Taliban-occupied
Afghanistan. The novel is remarkable in its ability to transport
us to a nation’s political turmoil and its culture,
but it is also a heart-wrenching tale of betrayal and loyalty,
love and hatred, anger and joy.
Then, next up, we’re reading
Tobias Wolff’s Old School (0375701494)
for the store’s book group. Just out in paperback, this
is Wolff’s first novel though he’s the author
and editor of numerous other books, including This Boy’s
Life. The story takes place within the walls of a fictionalized
boarding school in 1960. A nameless scholarship student narrates
the tale of a graduating class vying for the chance to win
a private meeting with the three prestigious guest authors
of the year. At once a coming-of-age story, it is also a novel
about the ways in which we identify ourselves around truths
and lies and how our lives can unravel from a presumed identity.
I loved this book for its exploration of and visits with great
20th century writers, for the prevalent themes of class, religion
and acceptance and for the tension Wolff creates as he enlivens
the competitive nature of prep school.
Marilyn writes:
My book is here. Well, it's not exactly my book. I have one
very short story—the very last story, to be exact—published
in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s anthology Sword and
Sorceress XXI (075640195X).
It's a story I wrote and submitted two years ago, not long
after I started working here at Book Ends. (Any resemblance
between characters in the story and anyone at Bookends is
purely coincidence, I swear.) It took another year to be notified
that the story had been accepted, and this August I received
the proofs, with two days to return them with any corrections
that needed to be made. Thank goodness for email- they had
the wrong title! This is my second sale to the anthology,
and it is an honor to be in the company of so many talented
writers. I always enjoy the anthologies, with the voices of
so many different authors, and I am always amazed by the breadth
of their imaginings. I hope you will pick up a copy. I think
you'll enjoy it, especially if you like fantasy, short fiction
and strong female characters. If you'd like me to autograph
my little story, I'll happily oblige.
FROM THE CHILDREN’S ROOM:
The Children’s Room is
overflowing with great new books and wonderful classics for
everyone from toddlers to seniors in high school. With new
board books, picture books and chapter books arriving daily,
we’re certain that you’ll find ideal gifts for
the children in your life.
Beverly writes: There
are so many new books in the Children’s room. The following
are a small sampling…please stop by!!!
From the highly acclaimed paper
engineer comes a new pop-up to celebrate America. The seven
spreads in America the Beautiful (0689847440)
are based on the treasured anthem of the same name. The images
represent America at its best, with Robert Sabuda's
award-winning, trademark white pop-ups on richly hued backgrounds.
With brightly colored illustrations,
a playful speech-bubble narrative and a story bursting with
humor and seasonal cheer, Tomie dePaola’s
picture book Guess Who’s Coming to Santa’s
for Dinner? (0399242716)
shows how Santa's family celebrates Christmas dinner.
In the companion to Jan
Brett's The Mitten, a boy walking through the Costa
Rican cloud forest drops his umbrella to climb a tree for
a better view of the animals. But, one by one, the animals
crowd into the open umbrella. The Umbrella
(0399242155),
a classic tale of escalation, will have readers poring over
the details in each beautiful illustration.
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