Be Creative @ Your Library

Summer Reading Program for Adults 2009

 

Browsing all '5 Star Reviews' reviews

Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Execution Dock
By: Anne Perry

Anne Perry certainly is familiar with the sordid side of England's past. Her stories are absorbing but disturbing. Obviously Britain was too busy expanding the empire to care much for the folks at home.

The author portrays her characters as seen by others very well - almost too well at times. Does anyone really have all those incisive accurate insights? Is it that Perry can capture those fleeting, almost unconscious thoughts while most of us may react to but not fully recognize and express them in writing?

This book will keep you up way past your bedtime. I look forward to reading more of Monk, Hester, and their allies in their suspenseful exploits in the name of justice.

Monday, August 3, 2009
Losing Mum and Pup
By: Christopher Buckley

In "Tradition and the Individual Talent" T.S. Eliot says (I'm paraphrasing) that when a new work of art is created something happens to all the works of art that preceded it; that is to say, the whole existing order is, if ever so slightly, altered by the introduction of novelty, and so the value that we attribute to each work of art in relation to the whole is, and must be, for better or worse, readjusted. Similarly, whenever I read a book it oftentimes modifies my understanding of other, related books or ideas that I had previously read or considered. And so it was with my reading of Christopher Buckley's delightful work Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir. This is his meditation on and homage to the life and death of his parents, William F. Buckley, Jr., the icon of modern conservative politics, and Patricia Buckley, the doyenne of New York socialites, both of whom died within a year of each other, the mother in 2007 and the father in 2008.

This book caught my eye because of my familiarity with William F. Buckley, Jr., through reading his essays and watching his long-running Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) show "Firing Line." Given the subject matter of Losing Mum and Pup, I fully expected that the author would be dipping into the hagiographer's wax, would be engaging in, that is, and quite understandably so, a good deal of tombstone polishing, putting the buff and shine on his deceased parents' reputations. But this is not what I found. Far from it. Instead, Buckley announces early on what I take to be the leitmotif of the book. Of his parents, he says that: [t]they were not - with respect to every other set of loving parents in the world - your typical mom and dad.

And with that he proceeds to weave, with brisk prose of elegant manufacture, a narrative that reveals just how atypical and complex was the relationship that existed between him and his parents and between the parents themselves. By way of personal affection and impartial assessment, Buckley lays bare his parents virtues as well as their vices in a manner that is at turns poignant and pointed; sympathetic and critical; insightful, witty, and funny. And Buckley point out his own filial faults and shortcomings, too. Unmistakable is the love he had for his parents.

Though ostensibly about the author's experience of watching his parents die over the course of a year, the most arresting aspect of Losing Mum and Pup is, however, the bird's eye view it affords of the dynamics of the Buckley family. It caused me especially to reflect on the nature of marriage. Consequently, I modified my stance, albeit at the margins rather than at the core, since the book lent support to my ideas, about the extent to which the unity (the differences between a couple) increases the value of a marriage. Losing Mum and Pup is a very fine read. An entertaining, earnest, and thoughtful journey from beginning to end. I recommend it accordingly.

Friday, July 31, 2009
Dealing with Dragons
By: Patricia C. Wrede

A delightful quick read with a spunky heroine who's just real enough to want to emulate. Plots to overthrow the current regime are not new, but Dealing with Dragons offers a fun twist. Enjoy!

Friday, July 31, 2009
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built
By: Alexander McCall Smith

Love the characters. Very descriptive writing, feels like an adventure in Botswana.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Pride and Prejudice
By: Jane Austen

Everybody knows Pride and Prejudice is a great story. I was inspired to pick up the book again (first time since college) after watching the recent movie, starring Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen. This is my favorite movie version. Still, I couldn't quite catch all the dialogue, which is where the book comes in. It's curious to consider a time when marriage was the only option and so much time went to cultivating artifice that got you married.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Art of Racing in the Rain
By: Garth Stein

Adorable story about a young family, their joys and troubles as well as how they cope after the young mom is diagnosed with brain cancer and dies - all told from the point of view of Enzo, their lab-mix dog. Beautiful. You'll laugh and cry. READ THIS BOOK!

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tomato Girl
By: Jayne Pupek

This book is AMAZING! Story about a young girl, her bi-polar mother and her father. Set in Virginia, mid-20th century. Very tragic story about her mother's mental illness during a time when bi-polar illness was misunderstood, feared, and not diagnosed. The way Ms. Pupek (author) writes is intense and absorbing. I read this book in 2 days. HIGHLY recommend it.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
A Walk in the Woods
By: Bill Bryson

An entertaining account of the author's experience on the Appalachian Trail as an out of shape writer newly returned to his native American homeland. He and his sidekick, an overweight ex-alcoholic, have a bumbling and beautiful stab at the 2,000+ mile long trail. Get to know them and get to know the wilderness and countryside along the way. An intriguing and adventurous read.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Cruise of the Snark
By: Jack London

This is an excellent book. It chronicles the voyage of Jack London sailing in the 1900's from San Francisco to Hawaii. I am a sailor and a surfer. I bought a small day sailor boat for $1,000.00. It sailed quite well in the Monterey Bay. I have visited Jack London Square in the grand city of San Francisco many times. I recommend this book to any one land lubber or sailor. It is just a great all around read. Jack London also wrote "On the Makaloa Mat" and "The Call of the Wild." He (Jack London) was quite a traveler and a man of the world. Thank you "Friends of the Library."

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Jane Eyre
By: Charlotte Bronte

Slow start but soon you slow down yourself and remember how things went in a less technological world. After a while the intensity of the human context makes the book compelling. A good read.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Return of Depression Economics
By: Paul Krugman

A wonderful easy to understand (for the non-economist) explanation of how the world macro economic system works.

Lots of easy to grock examples. Funny, fast reading - like his NY Times columns.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
How to Pray for Healing
By: Che Ahn

Not anything like what I've read before. It reads sort of like a new age healing book but with a biblical base. There are affirmation-like readings in the back that are more interesting than any self-help, positive thinking books I've read.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
When the Heart Cries
By: Cindy Woodsmall

Excellent novel about a contemporary Amish girl forbidden to marry an outsider. A tragedy jeopardizes her relationship, and others' reactions to it set up a chain of events that make it hard to put the book down. It is well-researched and rings with authenticity. This bestselling author is a compelling storyteller who knows how to weave in just the right tension, leaving you wanting to read more (fortunately there are 2 more books and apparently 3 on the way soon!)

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Outliers
By: Malcolm Gladwell

If you think that successful people are just smarter, then read this book. There are so many factors to how successful you are. When you were born, what culture do you come from and how hard do you work? Are you dedicated enough to your interest to follow the 10,000 hour rule? Read this book to find out!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Outliers
By: Malcolm Gladwell

Highly recommended!
Fun to read, informative - made me think about success in new ways.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Long Fall
By: Walter Mosley

This detective story is well written and very engaging. I especially liked the main character. The mystery was interesting, but so was the character. I would highly recommend it.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
A Life Less Ordinary
By: Bebi Haladara

A Life Less Ordinary is a wonderful true story of Baby Halder who was born and raised in West Bengal, India. Abandoned by her mother at age 7, she was set through an arranged marriage at 12. Soon after, she gave birth to three children. Her husband, Shankar, often beat her up. She took her 3 kids and took a train to Delhi to find work and a new life.

I found it amazing that this woman has gone through such difficult time and we are so close in age. When I first read the story, I thought she would have to be my mother's or grandmother's age to have lived through all of these life experiences. It seems surreal that there is still violence/disrespect to women today.

Monday, July 20, 2009
On Becoming an Artist
By: Ellen J. Langer

Nice collection of quotations from famous artist. Includes cool examples of author's art. Emphasis of quantum thinking and outside linear thought.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Under the Eye of the Clock
By: Christopher Nolan

This is a beautifully written, powerful, uplifting book that I will never forget. For me, it's like a Helen Keller story, magnified.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Prodigal Summer
By: Barbara Kingsolver

Wonderful book for summer - a fresh look at our relationship with nature, and community.

Monday, July 20, 2009
The Dance of Connection
By: Harriet Lerner

The Dance of Anger made a difference in my life many years ago, and this book has done the same at a new level, especially the second half. Deep wisdom here.

Monday, July 20, 2009
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
By: John Boyne

This was an amazing book about the Holocaust through the eyes of a young boy. Definitely a tear jerker.

Monday, July 20, 2009
The Sweet In-Between
By: Sheri Reynolds

This book was so engaging and tender; it's from the point of view of a somewhat "gender confused" teen girl who is affected by an act of violence next door. What was so compelling to me was how soulful, ethical, and intelligent she remained despite all she'd experienced. As in A Gracious Plenty, Reynolds is a master writer and storyteller.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Shadow Music
By: Julie Garwood

A fun story - highland justice.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Heart and Soul
By: Maeve Binchy

Delightful. Hard to put down.

Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Dive from Clausen's Pier
By: Ann Packer

Great tale of moral and character development.

Monday, June 29, 2009
The Perfect Poison
By: Amanda Quick

Light romance with a plot. Misconceptions can take us in the wrong direction. Challenges can help us rethink.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Help
By: Kathryn Stockett

The South in the 1960s was not necessarily a time or story I would have thought a page turner. I could not put this book down. The courage of the three women is so inspiring. How easy it was for some to accept the disparity and the contrast of the silent struggles that coexisted within the historical drama of the civil rights movement.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Long Fall
By: Walter Mosley

Great new character. You thought you loved his Easy Rawlings protagonist but you'll be head over heels in love with LT who is more of a regular guy. I really like the paternal connections with his children and the redemption theme of this character. Look forward to more tales of LT in NYC.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
By: J.K. Rowling

I've read all the Harry Potter novels many times now and they still captivate me. The plot and subplots are complex, and there is foreshadowing in vol. 1 that's resolved in vol. 6 or 7. The characterization is full and delightful, with the characters evolving in believable and satisfying ways. The books are masterpieces.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Chosen: A House of Night Novel
By: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Excellent book and series. Much better writing than the Twilight series, though it's hard to beat Twilight's struggle of vampires and werewolves. The characters in Chosen are well-rounded, fully drawn, and believable. The struggles are gut-wrenching. Way too much fun. Plan to stay up late finishing it.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Exit Music
By: Ian Rankin

The best Rebus mystery yet (Rankin implies it may be final)! Complex, witty & definitely not a stereotypical ending. Rankin is a wonderful purveyor of contemporary Scots social and political life, as well as a very literate music buff who always weaves musical themes and metaphors into his novels.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Language of Bees
By: Laurie R. King

The latest in the Holmes/Russell mystery series is the most masterful yet from Laurie R. King! This one follows up on Conan Doyle's story of Holmes and Irene Adler, but also touches on beekeeping, WWII, religious cults -- great reading, wonderful suspense and detail!

Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
By: Annie Barrows& Mary Ann Shaffer

Wonderful book! Historical novel in the form of fictional letters written just after WWII about the Nazi Occupation of the Island of Guernsey and how the citizens of Guernsey experienced the War. The love of reading is a thread throughout the book that empowers each character to transcend their horrifying experiences. Highly recommended!

Monday, June 22, 2009
Shadows of the Buffalo
By: Adolph Hungry Wolf

Adolf Hungry Wolf does a fine job of explaining his relationship inside the Blackfoot tribe. His stories were both touching and funny.

Monday, June 22, 2009
Middlesex
By: Jeffrey Eugenides

Middlesex is a book that was very engaging. It was hard to put this book down as each new chapter brought more truth to this story of three generations of the Greek-American Stephanides family.

I knew the story was about a hermaphrodite but I wasn't expecting such a detailed, intelligent, and moving saga that started in Greece and ended in America. I discovered, through this book, a wonderful author and can't wait to read more from Jeffrey Eugenides.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
Birds of Prey
By: Jonathan P. Latimer

This well-researched and impeccably illustrated work is an essential aid to identifying local birds of prey.

Every naturalist will benefit from frequently referring to this definitive "Field Guide."

Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Dive from Clausen's Pier
By: Ann Packer

This is a book about love and friendship, and about honesty and living. Fresh out of college, Carrie is considering breaking up with her high school sweetheart when he suffers a serious diving accident that leaves him paralyzed. She is then faced with staying with him and doing the "right thing" in the eyes of her family and friends, or breaking up with him and finding a life of her own. The importance of geographically distancing oneself to make a life-altering decision is emphasized here, and Carrie moves to New York as she tries to find her way in life. Ultimately, her decision could be controversial or the natural thing for her to do, depending on your idea of happily ever after. This is a great book for discussion.