| It’s hard to believe,
as we dig ourselves out of a recent blizzard, that February
is upon us. Between the groundhogs who will likely choose
to see their shadows, black history month, valentines and
an eagerly anticipated school break, there is plenty of time
for reading and plenty of good books out there that celebrate
the shortest month of the year in some way or another. We
at Book Ends have a few new favorites to report but we can
also recommend many old stand-bys when you stop by.
Dede writes:
One of Beverly’s favorite new novelists is Jennifer
Haigh. Her prize-wining first novel, Mrs. Kimble
(0060509406)  is
just out in paperback. Her new novel, Baker Towers (0060509414),
is set in a coal-mining town in Western Pennsylvania just
after World War II. New York Times critic Janet Maslin gave
it a rave review—definitely worth reading.
On a lighter side, The Reading
Group (0060760443) by
Elizabeth Noble is contemporary and, as you
would guess, about a book group. The book was a bestseller
in Britain and Publisher’s Weekly said that it was “…light
but never flip…funny, contemplative and touching reading.”
In the front of the book, there is a list of twelve real novels
the characters read.
Donna Leon,
an American living near Venice, has created a memorable character
in police commissario Guido Brunetti. Her mystery series,
set in Venice, continues with Death In A Strange Country (0143034820)—now
in paperback—and a new title, Doctored Evidence (0143035630)—due
out in hardcover in May. You will soon become addicted to
this intelligent and well-written series.
Alice writes: Jared Diamond,
the author of Guns, Germs, and Steel (0393317552),
has a new book out, which quickly has ascended the New York
Times Bestseller List. Admittedly, I haven’t read it
yet, but I’m confident that he continues to write in
a narrative that is approachable and engaging. In Collapse,
Diamond explores why and how some societies “choose”
to succeed or fail. This 600-page book is the perfect gift
for the non-fiction lover in your life.
Also, in the realm of social
commentary, David Shipler’s The Working
Poor (0375708219) recently
came out in paperback. Some of you may recall a New York Times
Magazine cover story about this book last June. In the same
way that Eric Schlosser’s Reefer Madness (0618446702)
is a fascinating yet disturbing foray into the social injustices
in America, The Working Poor is well-researched and compelling
writing about what is wrong with big business in our country.
Finally, for book group on Tuesday,
February 15th at 7 p.m., we will discuss Tom
Perrotta’s Joe College (031228327X).
Perrotta lives in Belmont and is the author of Election—which
was made into a movie—and, more recently, Little Children.
Joe College centers on Danny, a scholarship student at Yale
in the early 1980s. He returns to New Jersey on vacations
to drive his father’s lunch truck—the Roach Coach—a
lifestyle that is diametrically opposed to his Ivy League
existence. Guided by humor, Perrotta explores issues of class,
love, loyalty and growing up.
FROM THE CHILDREN’S
ROOM:
Pat writes:
In January, two of the most prestigious children’s book
awards are given: the Caldecott and Newbery. Both are sponsored
by the Children's Division of the American Library Association.
The Caldecott Medal is awarded to the illustrator of the most
distinguished picture book; the Newbery Medal is given to
the author of the most distinguished literature for children.
This year's Caldecott winner
is popular children's author and illustrator Kevin
Henkes for his book Kitten's First Full Moon (0060588284).
In this charming book, "Kitten," in a suspenseful
adventure, sees her first full moon, but thinking it is a
bowl of milk, tries to get to it.
The Newbery Medal was awarded
to Cynthia Kadohata for Kira-Kira (0689856393).
The Japanese word meaning "glittering, shiny, but being
able to see through it, like the sky, or the ocean”
is the philosophy of life for Katie, one of the characters
in the book. When her family moves to a new home in the Deep
South, they find it more difficult to fit in than they had
in their previous hometown where many other Japanese families
lived. Katie—with her kira-kira way of seeing—tries
to help her family adjust, especially when the family begins
to fall apart with the illness of her sister. This wonderful
story addresses multicultural issues and has a positive message.
Other award-winning books to
consider are Toni Morrison’s Remember
(061839740X),
winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. This award, presented
to authors and illustrators of African descent, promotes an
understanding and appreciation of the "American Dream."
The Michael L. Printz Award, given in honor of a Kansas librarian
who was a strong advocate of good literature for young adults,
was given to Meg Rosoff for How I Live Now
(0385746776),
a great book for young high school students.
Isabel writes:
I just finished a phenomenal young adult book called I Am
the Messenger (0375830995)
by Markus Zusak. If your high school student
has time for only one book for pleasure, I strongly suggest
that this be the one. Fifteen-year-old student reviewer Eric
B. said, “This highly original book is one you really
cannot put down. Cliché, but definitely true. The gripping
opening sets a fast pace that never lets up. Even though the
premise itself is fantastic, what sets the book apart is its
characters. They are complex enough to easily pass as real
people, creating lots of relationships between the main character’s
friends and family that are gradually revealed to be more
than they seem. The ending is a complete surprise, so do not
read ahead or the book will be ruined for you…”
Judy H. writes:
If you are looking for a good selection for a 9-14 year old,
Mike Lupica’s novel Travel Team (0399241507)
is an excellent choice. Lupica, who is best known as a sports
columnist and commentator for ESPN, has written a realistic
novel about youth basketball. Danny Walker, a very short but
talented basketball player, is devastated when he is cut from
the travel team for 12 year olds. His dad, Richie Walker,
is a local basketball hero who had his pro basketball career
cut short by a car accident. Richie decides to form and coach
his own basketball team made up of his son and the other “rejects”
from the travel team. Through the course of the story, Danny
and his dad renew their relationship and all the major characters
learn that hard work and determination do matter—the
underdog can win!
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