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Some months
are simply overwhelming in terms of how many books look irresistible.
This is one of those months when the newspaper reviews and
the bookie buzz is chock full of glorious criticisms for thrillers
and biographies, coffee table books and historical fiction,
sports books and fantasy. It’s staggering to think that
anyone could possibly keep up; however, the good thing about
so many well-praised books is that shopping for Christmas
and Hanukkah is that much easier. A few highlights are
Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Memories of My Melancholy Whores—the
Nobel Prize winner’s first work of fiction in ten years—Doris
Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals (0684824906) —a
new and interesting look at Abe Lincoln—Al Franken’s
The Truth(with Jokes) (0525949062)—the
liberal commentator serves up more slams on today’s
politicians—The Year of Magical Thinking
(140004314X)
by Joan Didion—a highly-touted glimpse
into her life—A Crack in the Edge of the
World (0060571993)
by Simon Winchester—a nonfiction storyteller
in the same league as David McCullough—Amy Tan’s
Saving Fish from Dying—more fiction
from the acclaimed author of Joy Luck Club—and
so much more…Here are some of our favorites:
Dede
writes: There is cause for celebration this month!
The Trouble With Poetry and Other Poems (037550382X)
by beloved former Poet Laureate Billy Collins
has reached BookEnds. This new book is his first in three
years. Included in this new collection is “The Lanyard,”
which became a local favorite after the poet read in Winchester
two years ago, and a new favorite of mine titled “Eastern
Standard Time.” My holiday shopping problem is solved:
all the adults on my list are getting The Trouble With
Poetry.
Our former
colleague, Gretchen, called the other day about a book “she
could not put down.” It is Sebastian Barry’s
A Long Long Way (0143035096).
A young Irish lad enlists in the army during World War I.
On the Western Front and then at home on leave, he confronts
tragedies and terrible choices. Gretchen says the characters
are “beautifully drawn.” This book, now in paperback,
was nominated for the Man Booker Prize.
Our Arlington
neighbor and professor of English at Northeastern University,
Gary Braver has written another one of his
very, very scary books! Flashback
(0765302519)
is a medical thriller set in the Boston area with all too
plausible scientific details and all too vivid suspense. The
jacket quotations from writers like Robert B. Parker and Michael
Connelly are glowing.
The film
reviews of Jennifer Weiner’s In Her Shoes
(141650334x)
have been excellent. If you missed this book the first time
around, there is an inexpensive “movie edition”
in paperback. This would be a good book to pack for your Thanksgiving
trip—flight delays will not seem as maddening!
Beverly
writes: I really enjoyed The Lincoln Lawyer
(0316734934).
It does not feature Michael Connelly’s
usual character, Harry Bosch, but instead a classic anti-hero
lawyer named Mickey Haller. Mickey exists on the lower realms
of the criminal justice system, representing clients who give
the illusion of innocence but are truly evil. In his first
courtroom mystery, Connelly has proven himself better than
Grisham. This is a great lawyer book and psychological thriller;
the atmosphere is right-on as Connelly steers us into the
seamy side of criminal law.
Alice
writes: Oh, how the great books are storming in daily,
and oh, how the season of gifting is storming closer everyday.
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: I
love, love, love those box books and can’t think of
a better, more universally great present. They come in all
sorts of themes. My personal favorite is Earth from
Above: 365 Days (0810959461),
a collection of Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s beautiful
photographs from every corner of the globe. Next to each day’s
picture is a short and informative explanation about the setting
of the photo and different facts about the country’s
traditions, habits, characteristics. In this same unobtrusively-sized
format, there are books about baseball, golf courses, gardens,
Ireland, horses, cats, Star Wars…Another universally
good gift idea is the Best American
series with the year’s best recipes, short stories,
travel writing, science essays and more.
One book
I am really enjoying is Marley and Me
(0060817089),
John Grogan’s first book. In his funny
and poignant memoir, he and his wife lose their hearts to
a rambunctious but lovable Labrador Retriever. The two reporters
adopt Marley to get a taste of parenting. Grogan chronicles,
in this touching tale, Marley’s growth from an affectionate
puppy to a naughty dog. Between being kicked out of obedience
school and eating a solid gold necklace is the story of a
dog and his undeniably positive effects on a family. This
is the perfect choice for dog-loving readers.
The
Grace that Keeps this World (0307238016)
by Tom Bailey is an emotional page-turner
set in the Adirondack Mountains. In his first novel, Bailey
explores the dynamics of a family in a town of loggers and
hunters. Suspenseful and emotional, the story alternates between
the voices of the Hazens and their neighbors.
Finally,
for book group, on Tuesday, November 8th from 7-8
p.m., we will discuss Sister of My Heart
(038548951X)
by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. In this novel,
we meet cousins Anju and Sudha, born on the same day and bonded
as “sisters” for life. Told from both women’s
perspectives, Divakaruni explores the power of loyalty and
friendship as first Sudha discovers a family secret that could
potentially ruin their relationship and then the cousins are
separated by continents in their arranged marriages. Not only
about the power of love and kinship, this book is also about
the differences between the Indian and American cultures,
about the tastes and sounds and daily rituals of a country
half way around the world. It is a novel that delves into
the tension between embracing Indian traditions and being
lured into Western habits. If you enjoy this one, you may
want to read The Vine of Desire (038549730X)
which continues the tale of Anju and Sudha.
FROM
THE CHILDREN’S ROOM:
Isabel
writes: Written by Linda Hayward
and illustrated by James Watling, The First Thanksgiving
(0679802185)
is a classic that I used to read to my kids. Illustrated in
soft, engaging watercolors, the story of the Pilgrims is vividly
retold in simple language for beginning readers. It is a great
way to introduce your kids to the reason why we celebrate
Thanksgiving, and it’s a great book for students in
the early grades to read to themselves about the Mayflower
journey and the Pilgrim’s first harvest.
Another
great Thanksgiving book out this year is Douglas Wood’s
The Secret of Saying Thanks (0689854102).
Wood, the author of such great books as Old Turtle, collaborated
with illustrator Greg Shed to create a wonderful
story appropriate for children in preschool through third
grade. The secret of saying thanks can be found in the sunrise
that offers promises for the day ahead, or in the gentle shade
of a tree sheltering you from the hot rays of the sun, or
on the rock that offers rest from a long walk. As in some
of his other books, this story is a spiritual tribute to nature
and the world.
My favorite
Thanksgiving book last year was Debby Atwell’s
The Thanksgiving Door (0618240365).
Another picture book great for the lower grades, this story
introduces us to Ed and Ann who have burned their Thanksgiving
meal. They wander down the street and into the New World Cafe,
but the owner's family thinks that having customers will ruin
their private party. Grandmother chastises them, and the couple
are given the seats of honor. Soon, Ed and Ann join Papa,
Grandmother and the others in sharing their songs, dancing
and holiday cheer. With colorful folk art throughout, the
reader learns a little bit about the immigrant experience
and the gratification of sharing thanks.
Marilyn
writes: Leaf Jumpers (1570914974)
is a wonderful book for a young naturalist. With simple text
and wonderfully colorful illustrations, author Carole
Gerber and illustrator Leslie Evans
describe falling leaves and identify, by color and shape,
several common leaves such as sugar maple, oak and willow.
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.
Halloween has passed, but monsters might still be hiding under
the bed and in the closet. In his latest picture book, There
Are Monsters Everywhere (0803706219),
Mercer Mayer creates a fantastically funny
story about facing those monsters!
Dillon
F. reviewed Book Two of The Great Tree of Avalon,
Shadows on the Stars (039923764X)
by
T.A. Barron. He writes, “This book
is about the adventure of three companions Tamwyn, Elli, and
Scree on their journey to save the Great Tree of Avalon and
re-kindle the darkened stars of Avalon’s skies. This
book will keep you burning the midnight oil to finish and
is recommended to anyone over 10 years old. This is also a
great book for science fiction readers.”
Fans of
Tamora Pierce are sure to enjoy Young Warriors
(0375829628),
edited by Pierce and author/folklorist Josepha Sherman.
This collection of fifteen original short stories by some
of today’s most beloved fantasy and science fiction
authors offers a variety of answers to the question of what
makes a warrior. The story settings are as diverse as the
warriors: fantasy realms are represented, medieval England,
the African plain, Ancient Greece and Egypt, World War II
Ireland and folktale Russia to name a few. The stories will
thrill and entertain, and, perhaps more importantly, lead
the reader to consider, “What would I fight for?”
James
W., aged 11, reviewed Code Orange
(0385732597)
by Caroline Cooney. “Mitty Blake would
rather be IMing his friends or listening to his iPod than
do a report on an infectious disease. But, since he has to
do it, it’s a good thing his mom bought old medical
books for her business. When he chooses Variola Major, he
breathes in dust from scabs that are from a victim of Variola
Major. Soon, Mitty is on the move trying to figure out if
he has the disease, and if he does, how he can stop it? I
thought this book was great, and anyone should read it. Especially,
if you like a thriller story.”
The
Penultimate Peril (0064410153),
the twelfth book of Lemony Snicket’s
Series of Unfortunate Events, has recently arrived
in the store, causing great excitement. The book begins on
Briny Beach where Violet, Klaus and Sunny had just met up
with Kit Snicket. We have heard that the book, as fans might
expect, is full of twists and turns and that the author’s
trademark humor is intact. Reviewers have also mentioned that
this book is darker than previous ones in the series and that
one ought to have a mirror handy when you read.
Judy
H. writes: Set in the time just prior to the American
Revolution, Midnight Rider (0689870094)
by Joan Hiatt Harlow is an excellent historical
fiction book for middle school-aged students. The protagonist,
Hannah, is an orphan and is forced by her aunt to be an indentured
servant. Hannah becomes a maid in the household of General
Thomas Gage, governor and commander of the British troops
in Massachusetts. She becomes a spy for the American rebels,
but there is another unlikely spy in the Gage house. Read
and find out who the surprising informant is.
559 Main Street Winchester, MA
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