Chris Gruenenwald: I just read Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (Mary Ann Shaffer) and really enjoyed it. This historical fiction takes place on an island outside of France, called Guernsey, during World War 2. The book is in letter form and was hard to follow at first with the letters beginning with “To and From”, which made it hard to follow characters. After I figured them out I enjoyed the story and got to know the characters. I liked the ending where the woman stayed on Guernsey Island and decided to raise her friend’s daughter. I would give it 4 stars out of 5.
Virginia Brace: : A Voice of Her Own: becoming Emily Dickinson - Barbara Dana) Author Barbara Dana immersed herself over a ten year period in the life and words of Emily Dickinson so she could give us a look at what it must have been like to be this extraordinary and spirited girl growing up in the 1800’s in New England. Emily wrote: “There is always one thing to be grateful for—that one is one’s self and not somebody else.” (This is on a page following the title page.)
In an era when men were the ones who got the best educations, made the family decisions, chose their careers and their mates and the women stuck to the role prescribed for them by men , gentle and obedient Emily was determined to find her own place in the world. She wanted to write poetry whether or not her father accepted the idea. She said,” I will be a Poet! That’s who I am!”
I believe girls age 11- 17 will enjoy this story that captures Emily’s humor and the cadences of her unique voice. They will identify with her sense of adventure, her love of words, and her determination to not lose herself when pressured by others around her.
Jody Gardiner: I read a NF book titled A Hope In The Unseen by Ron Suskind. This is an account of a young man named Cedric Jennings who graduated in 1995 from an inner city high school in Washington, D.C. He earned admission to Brown University in Providence, RI. The author is a Wall Street Journal journalist who followed the trials and tribulations of Cedric's journey. Getting into Brown proved far easier than surviving there. This book illustrated what can happen when someone who has many disadvantages (poverty, single mom, dad in prison, horrible neighborhood, etc. ) rises above them through sheer hard work. Many comments on affirmative action, racial divides, and the American education system are found throughout this book.
Carmen Zamarripa: I just watched the movie Under the Same Moon("La Misma Luna"). The actors in this movie are Latinos, most of them actors whom I have seen in Latino TV. I thought this movie was awesome and would recommend this to anyone. It is mostly about a young boy who after being orphaned by his caretaker (the grandmother) sets out to find his mom in LA. It's funny, sad and it hits home when it talks about the realities about the struggles of many undocumented aliens.
Carol Luallin: The Dress Doctor (Edith Head) Sure, you've seen them... the glamorous dresses worn by the equally beautiful Hollywood stars. Who can forget Grace Kelly in her flowing white chiffon dress in To Catch a Thief, looking elegant and flawless? Or Norma Desmond, decked to the nines and dressed to kill in Sunset Blvd ? And Mae West, has there ever been a tighter dress worn by a living, breathing actress? Did you know how she survived on the movie set in those too-tight-to-breathe bodices? And just how does a dress designer land a job for a major motion picture studio, make a name for herself and then win eight Academy Awards for Best Costume - despite the fact she couldn't draw?
Ah, the psychological intrigue of working with big names, bigger egos, and incredible demands from director to actor. She treated her famous clients like patients, bringing them into her clinic. She carefully designed and prescribed everything, from the cut of the neckline to the type of fabric and print, to the color of the fitting rooms and her attire, right down to her eyewear. She loved her job. The world, in turn, loved her work and her name became famous world-wide. In fact, she was honored posthumously as "Edna Mode" in The Incredibles, Disney's 2004 hit film. Just who is this woman responsible for creating some of the most beautiful and fashionable outfits that ever graced the Silver Screen in the 1930's, '40's and '50's?
Why, Edith Head, of course. In her autobiographical book, The Dress Doctor, Edith shares a "behind the needles and threads" look at her career: how she became one of Hollywood's most sought after costume designers, the actors and actresses she worked with, what went on during the fittings in her "clinic," why she wore those iconic dark blue round glasses, and the subtle, yet powerful role that psychology played in creating memorable costumes and characters. This book will make you wish you could run to Edith Head for advice when dressing for your day.
Michele Whitley : The invention of Hugo Cabret : a novel in words and pictures / by Brian Selznick. Appropriate ages: Grades 4-9 (Lexile: 820)
Hugo Cabret, a recently orphaned twelve year old boy is taken in by his uncle as an apprentice. He learns how to wind and repair the many clocks at the busy Paris train station where they both live in a tiny apartment. This junior novel is a page-turner full of fantastic drawings that complete and tremendously enhance the story. Mystery and intrigue about automatons and the early days of motion pictures will captivate readers who like a fast-paced interesting story.
Katherine Spiegelman: Rome 1960 By David Maraniss This book is a delicious combination of reminders of the past and the timelessness of sport and the Olympics. Take for instance, the women’s track team and their coach, Ed Temple. He made his athletes wear lipstick and stockings while they were on the road (his motto: foxes, not oxes) in a part of the country where they might not even be assured of indoor plumbing for “negroes”.
Rome 1960 reminds readers of the world as it was, when the cold war was raging and the U.S. and the Soviet Union each used the Olympics as a proxy for the superiority of their economic system. Star athletes were encouraged to defect. Amateur status was still required, and so strictly enforced (by some) that a runner was disqualified for getting married on a game show. The book also covers some very modern issues: the first doping scandal occurred there when a cyclist died at the finish line. His death was ruled heat stroke, but years later one of the autopsy doctors admitted that it was due to drugs.
Finally, the book follows some of the stars after their Olympic performances. Some went on to fame, such as the young man called Cassius Clay, and others went back to quiet lives, earning livings that had nothing to do with sports. I would highly recommend this book.
Karen Bialkowski: ( The Mary Russell series by Laurie R. King) Have you ever read Laurie R. King? No? Well, she has a terrific series featuring a “retired” Sherlock Holmes in his late fifties. In the early years of WWI, he meets his equal (yes, hard to believe!) in 15 year-old orphaned heiress, Mary Russell. He becomes her mentor, and they slowly begin to solve sleuthy cases together. They also become closer than that, but I don’t want to spoil anything! King is an awesome writer, and her prose is literary and very British. Would you like to try her? Yes? Oh, good! A copy of the first book in the series, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, is on the shelf . I will go get it for you, and I hope you find her as delightful as I do!
Kara Rusch: The Glass Castle and Interred With Their Bones I primarily read YA books. I don’t know why, I am just more drawn to them than to adult books. However, for this assignment I decided to go out of my “comfort zone” and read from a genre I usually don’t. I decided to read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls because I hardly ever read non-fiction. Walls’ strong voice and clever writing style drew me in immediately, and I was surprised to find her memoir read more like a novel than dry and boring like I’d expect non-fiction to be. I laughed at her humor, felt sad for her in the bad times and rooted for her when she tried to change her circumstances in life. I always assumed reading non-fiction would be like reading a dry history textbook, but it wasn’t. In fact, this book touched me more than even the best fiction because it’s true. I’m very glad I decided to read out of my comfort zone and expand my horizons.
Currently I am reading a book called Interred With Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell. The reviews I’ve read on it compare it to The Da Vinci Code as a thriller based on historical events. So far I’m enjoying it, which is good, because I’m not much of a mystery/thriller reader either. Plus, I hated The Da Vinci Code, not because of the subject matter but because I thought the writing was horrible. The reviews of Carrell’s book are very mixed as some people loved this book and others simply hated it. I’ll have to keep reading to see what I think. It is refreshing to read outside of YA.
Linda Sangster –The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (John Boyne) Innocence in World War II Germany. Bruno - a 9-year old boy, all-knowing older sister, loving Mother, and hard-working, dedicated, stern Father. When the family has to move from Berlin out to the country, because of Father's job, Bruno finds himself alone and unhappy. What is it that Father does, anyway? Finally, Bruno meets a boy his own age, living on the other side of the fence.
The author, John Boyne, presents us with a tale of the friendship of two innocent young boys during World War II. Using strong characterization and an easy-to-read style, this book is an attention-holder and gives its reader much to consider. A movie has also been made and remains true to the book. Read the book and then watch the movie!
Gayle Manchester –– Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series (Crombie, Deborah) I have read all but the last two books of this thirteen-book mystery series and thoroughly enjoyed them. All take place in England, and the main characters, Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Jones, are Scotland Yard homicide detective “partners.” Throughout the series, the novels explore the workings of Scotland Yard, the attitude toward professional women in England, the changing relationship of the two main characters, and then an intriguing mystery. The mysteries’ locale or particulars help the reader learn about such topics as the redevelopment of run-down portions of London, the English art world, some London social/welfare situations, church and small town life in more rural England, and people who live on the long boats and travel the intricate English canal system.
I found the novels caught my interest in at least three ways — some aspect of England locale, culture, and lifestyles; the mystery story itself; and the changing relationship of the Scotland Yard detectives, Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Jones. A reader who enjoys contemporary mysteries, or novels set in England, should definitely try this series.
Aesta Perlmutter Another Country by Mary Pipher (non-fiction) What is it like to be an older person in America today -- what is it like to face the changes that come with growing old? Mary Pipher offers insight into the thoughts, feelings, and challenges of older Americans. Drawn from her experience as a psychologist, her examples of families caring for older relatives are sometimes profoundly sad, others more hopeful. An excellent and compassionate book, especially helpful if you have an elderly relative.
Annette Klingensmith – The book I read was Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay. This was a story about the Holocaust in France in 1942. Sarah and her family are arrested in the French's collaboration with the Nazi's they called Vel'd'Hiv. She locks her brother in a cupboard which was their favorite hiding place thinking that she will be back in a couple of hours to let him out. An American Journalist is asked to write about this horrific day and in her investigation finds some connections to Sarah. I think the Holocaust is an interesting and serious topic. My grandfather was arrested in Belgium during the war and sent to a camp but did come out alive. The only thing I did not like about the book was the way it centered around the Journalist. I wish it would have told more about the family that was arrested. But still a good and quick read.
Michelle Shields: Let me tell you about a great book I just listened to on CD. It is called The Art of Racing in the Rain (Garth Stein) The story is told from the viewpoint of a dog named Enzo. Enzo is different from other dogs, he has insight into the human condition and on the eve of his death he is recalling all that he and his family have been through. He can barely wait until his next lifetime when he is sure he will return as a man. This is a wonderful uplifting story of family, love. loyalty and hope told only as a dog could tell it.
Dorothy New: The Girl in the Red Coat by Roma Ligocka with Iris Von Finckenstein When Roma Ligocka saw the movie Schindler’s List, she identified with the little girl in the red coat. The girl’s red coat was the only color in the movie. Roma was a child in German-occupied Poland. She also had a red coat that her grandmother made. After seeing the movie Roma wanted to write her memoir to represent all the children who lived through the horrors of war. The result is a memoir spanning fifty years. From Roma being a two year old in the Krakow ghetto and the affect it had on her life for years after the war.
Deanna Leppink: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. I liked this a lot. It was hard to get into, but I kept reading and really enjoyed the book being told by the dog Almondine. I really liked the boy Edgar, a very smart kid - he had already figured out who killed his father. I like dogs, so I enjoyed the parts about the dogs and the kennel. I didn't like the way it ended.
Julie Tufo: If I Stay by Gayle Forman (YA fiction, 2009). Not living a perfect life, but pretty darn close...until. Until the unthinkable. Until the saddest thing you can imagine. Mia floats outside her tragedy wondering if there is any point to staying and living with the "crater-sized hole where my heart used to be". Looking back on the highlights of her short life, she worries that what lies ahead would be so different, even if she could, would she really want to face it? I cried as I turned the last page, rooting for her, no matter her decision, whether to stay, or to let go.
Barb Pinhas: The World to Come – by Dara Horn
Dara Horn’s novel actually begins with a “true crime” – the theft of a Chagall painting from a New York museum during a singles cocktail hour. This article on the front page of The New York Times a couple of years ago actually planted the seed and inspired the author to write this book. What is” the world to come”? It means different things to different people. The meaning is multi layered and goes far beyond merely exploring why we are here and what comes next. Life after death, redemption, or simply the future of everyday life are just a few of the possibilities. From the horrors of the Vietnam War to life in a Russian orphanage in 1919, to modern day New York - the author uses the imagined world of century old folk tales to tie together this original and very well written novel. Mysticism, art, spirituality, romance and death can all be found in The World to Come.
Dara Horn’s novel actually begins with a “true crime” – the theft of a Chagall painting from a New York museum during a singles cocktail hour. This article on the front page of The New York Times a couple of years ago actually planted the seed and inspired the author to write this book. What is” the world to come”? It means different things to different people. The meaning is multi layered and goes far beyond merely exploring why we are here and what comes next. Life after death, redemption, or simply the future of everyday life are just a few of the possibilities. From the horrors of the Vietnam War to life in a Russian orphanage in 1919, to modern day New York - the author uses the imagined world of century old folk tales to tie together this original and very well written novel. Mysticism, art, spirituality, romance and death can all be found in The World to Come.
