Caleb's Crossing -- Geraldine Brooks
Caleb Cheeshahteaumauk was the first Native American to attend Harvard College, in the 1660s. The story is told from the point of view of Bethia Mayfield, the daughter of a Puritan preacher. Based on a true story, it is truly an amazing tale.
Silver Sparrow -- Tayari Jones
Dana and Chaurisse are sisters, but live very different parallel lives. Their father is married to Chaurisse's mother, who has no idea that her husband has a secret life. Dana and her mother "surveil" their competition. Inevitably, the girls' lives cross, with devastating consequences.
The Abstinence Teacher -- Tom Perrota
Ruth,a divorced mother of two girls, is a health teacher in a public high school. When she unknowningly runs afoul of the new sex education curriculum, she becomes embroiled in a controversy that divides her east coast town and the new fundamentalist church and its congregation.
Blood Red Road -- Moira Young
The Hunger Games meets Mad Max. Lugh, Saba's twin brother is kidnapped by violent horsemen who also kill their father. In a post-apocolyptic world Saba and her younger sister Emmi go in search of their brother. In their travels, they are enslaved, meet a band of women warriors and torment the self appointed "Sun King." They also meet Jack, a charming nomadic outlaw, to whom Saba is inextricably drawn. The first of a trilogy, this is a riveting tale.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
AUGUST 2011
A Discovery of Witches-- Deborah Harkness
Twilight meets The Da Vinci Code....but better written. For sure the next big blockbuster. But WHY does the evil witch Gillian have to be a Bryn Mawr professor??
Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard -- Liz Murray
Amazing story...but something does not ring true. After the "controversies" surrounding A Million Little Pieces and Three Cups of Tea (which I LOVED), I'm less of a believer.
The Knitting Circle -- Ann Hood
Everyone has a sad story. Devastatingly sad. And it's semi-autobiographical. Read with a tissue box within reach.
Fruit-- Brian Francis
Peter Paddington is an overweight, confused thirteen year old, tormented in school and misunderstood by his family. He knows he's different, but the full realization of his "difference" does not readily occur to him.
A World Elsewhere -- Wayne Johnston
Landish Druken, son of an infamous Newfoundland sealing captain, goes to Princeton in the 1890s. There, he makes the acquaintance of Padget Vanderluyden, son of an American baron of industry. Their friendship changes Landish's life. After he is disowned by his father, destitute and option-less, Landish seeks his old friend's help. It comes at a very high cost.
Riding the Bus with my Sister -- Rachel Simon
Rachel's sister Beth is mildly retarded, a condition that the family worked hard to mainstream. Beth, now in her late thirties, lives on her own, has a boyfriend, and rides the public buses in her town. All the buses, all day. Rachel spends a year riding them with her.
Twilight meets The Da Vinci Code....but better written. For sure the next big blockbuster. But WHY does the evil witch Gillian have to be a Bryn Mawr professor??
Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard -- Liz Murray
Amazing story...but something does not ring true. After the "controversies" surrounding A Million Little Pieces and Three Cups of Tea (which I LOVED), I'm less of a believer.
The Knitting Circle -- Ann Hood
Everyone has a sad story. Devastatingly sad. And it's semi-autobiographical. Read with a tissue box within reach.
Fruit-- Brian Francis
Peter Paddington is an overweight, confused thirteen year old, tormented in school and misunderstood by his family. He knows he's different, but the full realization of his "difference" does not readily occur to him.
A World Elsewhere -- Wayne Johnston
Landish Druken, son of an infamous Newfoundland sealing captain, goes to Princeton in the 1890s. There, he makes the acquaintance of Padget Vanderluyden, son of an American baron of industry. Their friendship changes Landish's life. After he is disowned by his father, destitute and option-less, Landish seeks his old friend's help. It comes at a very high cost.
Riding the Bus with my Sister -- Rachel Simon
Rachel's sister Beth is mildly retarded, a condition that the family worked hard to mainstream. Beth, now in her late thirties, lives on her own, has a boyfriend, and rides the public buses in her town. All the buses, all day. Rachel spends a year riding them with her.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
JULY 2011
Left Neglected -- Lisa Genova
Sarah Nickerson, a HBS grad, high powered exec, wife and mother of three, suffers a traumatic brain injury which leaves her unable to see or process anything on the left side. The life of "leisure" she dreamed about did not prepare her for this challenge.
Waiting for Joe -- Sandra Birdsell
Joe Beaudry's business is bust and he and his wife Laurie are in a "borrowed" motorhome on their way to Fort McMurray, where he is hoping to find work. Laurie, who is willfully unaware of the dire straits they are in, cannot go into a store without buying something. Secrets from their past arise and set them both on different paths.
Sarah Nickerson, a HBS grad, high powered exec, wife and mother of three, suffers a traumatic brain injury which leaves her unable to see or process anything on the left side. The life of "leisure" she dreamed about did not prepare her for this challenge.
Waiting for Joe -- Sandra Birdsell
Joe Beaudry's business is bust and he and his wife Laurie are in a "borrowed" motorhome on their way to Fort McMurray, where he is hoping to find work. Laurie, who is willfully unaware of the dire straits they are in, cannot go into a store without buying something. Secrets from their past arise and set them both on different paths.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
JUNE 2011
We Need To Talk About Kevin -- Lionel Shriver
Just as devastating the second time 'round.
The Summer Guest -- Justin Cronin
A fishing camp in northern Maine is what the characters of this gripping novel have in common. The lives of a World War II veteran, a Vietnam draft dodger, a young medical student, a financier and a small town waitress are inextricably intertwined.
Smoke-- Elizabeth Ruth
Buster McFiddie, the son of an Ontario tobacco farmer, survives a fire, but is forever scarred. He befriends the town's doctor, who has secrets of his own.
Let Me In-- John Ajvide Lindqvist
A Swedish Stephen King. Vampires, serial killers, alcoholics, and teenage bullies.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter -- Kim Edwards
In 1964, Dr. David Henry delivered his own twins during a blizzard. His daughter, Phoebe, had Down Syndrome. A rash decision to send the newborn to an institution and tell his wife the child had been stillborn, irrevocably changed his marriage and his life. Unbeknownst to him, Phoebe was not sent to an institution, but was raised by Dr. Henry's nurse.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter-- Tom Franklin
Larry Ott was the last person to see Cindy Williams before she went missing. For twenty-five years he was ostracized and abused by the people of small town Mississippi. The only friend he ever had, Silas Jones, has returned to the town as a constable, and helps solve the mystery.
Our Kind of Traitor-- John le Carre
Perry Makepiece and his fiance Gail meet a shady, tennis-loving Russian on an Antiguan holiday. Dima is taken by Perry's English "fair play" and before they know it, are at the heart of a defection with far reaching consequences.
Just as devastating the second time 'round.
The Summer Guest -- Justin Cronin
A fishing camp in northern Maine is what the characters of this gripping novel have in common. The lives of a World War II veteran, a Vietnam draft dodger, a young medical student, a financier and a small town waitress are inextricably intertwined.
Smoke-- Elizabeth Ruth
Buster McFiddie, the son of an Ontario tobacco farmer, survives a fire, but is forever scarred. He befriends the town's doctor, who has secrets of his own.
Let Me In-- John Ajvide Lindqvist
A Swedish Stephen King. Vampires, serial killers, alcoholics, and teenage bullies.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter -- Kim Edwards
In 1964, Dr. David Henry delivered his own twins during a blizzard. His daughter, Phoebe, had Down Syndrome. A rash decision to send the newborn to an institution and tell his wife the child had been stillborn, irrevocably changed his marriage and his life. Unbeknownst to him, Phoebe was not sent to an institution, but was raised by Dr. Henry's nurse.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter-- Tom Franklin
Larry Ott was the last person to see Cindy Williams before she went missing. For twenty-five years he was ostracized and abused by the people of small town Mississippi. The only friend he ever had, Silas Jones, has returned to the town as a constable, and helps solve the mystery.
Our Kind of Traitor-- John le Carre
Perry Makepiece and his fiance Gail meet a shady, tennis-loving Russian on an Antiguan holiday. Dima is taken by Perry's English "fair play" and before they know it, are at the heart of a defection with far reaching consequences.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
MAY 2011
Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian -- Avi Steinberg
Steinberg, a Harvard graduate, takes a job at as a librarian at Boston prison. With little experience and latitutde, he creates a welcomed and welcoming space for a wide range of inmates. The stories he learns change his life.
Abraham Lincoln-- Vampire Hunter -- Seth Grahame-Smith
A fascinating twist on the reasons behind the American Civil War.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies-- Seth Grahame-Smith
A brilliant paroday.
The Uncommon Reader -- Alan Bennett
Queen Elizabeth's accidental encounter with a bookmobile at Buckingham Palace, turns her into a voracious reader.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle -- Shirley Jackson
Merricat Blackwood and her agoraphobic sister Catherine live in isolation in a small New England town. The poisoning deaths of the rest of their family several years before are the reason the townspeople shun them.
Steinberg, a Harvard graduate, takes a job at as a librarian at Boston prison. With little experience and latitutde, he creates a welcomed and welcoming space for a wide range of inmates. The stories he learns change his life.
Abraham Lincoln-- Vampire Hunter -- Seth Grahame-Smith
A fascinating twist on the reasons behind the American Civil War.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies-- Seth Grahame-Smith
A brilliant paroday.
The Uncommon Reader -- Alan Bennett
Queen Elizabeth's accidental encounter with a bookmobile at Buckingham Palace, turns her into a voracious reader.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle -- Shirley Jackson
Merricat Blackwood and her agoraphobic sister Catherine live in isolation in a small New England town. The poisoning deaths of the rest of their family several years before are the reason the townspeople shun them.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
APRIL 2011
Twilight -- Stephenie Meyer
Total Edward fan. Better late than never.
New Moon -- Stephenie Meyer
Not as good, but I still kept reading.
Eclipse -- Stepenie Meyer
Aw, just get er done, already!
Midnight Sun -- Stephenie Meyer (as of yet, officially unpublished; available on her website.)
Edward's story. Yes, I'm obsessed.
Breaking Dawn -- Stephenie Meyer
Nice way to end the series. I think I'm over it.
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner -- Stephenie Meyer
Okay, now I'm over it.
Midnight at the Dragon Cafe -- Judy Fong Bates
Ten year old Su Jen (Annie) emigrates with her mother from Communist China small town Ontario in the early 1960s. She is reunited with the father she barely remembers who runs a restaurant. As Annie acclimates to her new life, her mother is miserable and pines for her lost life.
Total Edward fan. Better late than never.
New Moon -- Stephenie Meyer
Not as good, but I still kept reading.
Eclipse -- Stepenie Meyer
Aw, just get er done, already!
Midnight Sun -- Stephenie Meyer (as of yet, officially unpublished; available on her website.)
Edward's story. Yes, I'm obsessed.
Breaking Dawn -- Stephenie Meyer
Nice way to end the series. I think I'm over it.
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner -- Stephenie Meyer
Okay, now I'm over it.
Midnight at the Dragon Cafe -- Judy Fong Bates
Ten year old Su Jen (Annie) emigrates with her mother from Communist China small town Ontario in the early 1960s. She is reunited with the father she barely remembers who runs a restaurant. As Annie acclimates to her new life, her mother is miserable and pines for her lost life.
Friday, March 4, 2011
MARCH 2011
Hillbilly Gothic -- Adrienne Martini A funny, poignant first person narrative of post-partum depression.
Hot Time the Old Town: The Great Heat Wave of 1896 adn the Making of Theodore Roosevelt -- Edward P. Kohn An interesting portrait of New York City during one its worst, but mostly forgotten, natural disasters.
The Best Laid Plans -- Terry Fallis As a condition of leaving Parliament Hill just before an election, speech writer Danial Addision is required to find a Liberal candidate to run in an historically Tory held ryding. He convinces an ornery Scottish engineering professor at the University of Ottawa to put his name on the ballot. Mayhem and hilarity ensues.
The Somnambulist -- Jonathan Barnes Edward Moon is a conjurer and detective, with an enigmatic sidekick known as the Somnuambulist. He is asked to aid the investigation of a grizzly and puzzling death, and as the investigation progresses, weirder events take place. A satirical and mesmerising take on Dickensian characters and Victorian novels
Hot Time the Old Town: The Great Heat Wave of 1896 adn the Making of Theodore Roosevelt -- Edward P. Kohn An interesting portrait of New York City during one its worst, but mostly forgotten, natural disasters.
The Best Laid Plans -- Terry Fallis As a condition of leaving Parliament Hill just before an election, speech writer Danial Addision is required to find a Liberal candidate to run in an historically Tory held ryding. He convinces an ornery Scottish engineering professor at the University of Ottawa to put his name on the ballot. Mayhem and hilarity ensues.
The Somnambulist -- Jonathan Barnes Edward Moon is a conjurer and detective, with an enigmatic sidekick known as the Somnuambulist. He is asked to aid the investigation of a grizzly and puzzling death, and as the investigation progresses, weirder events take place. A satirical and mesmerising take on Dickensian characters and Victorian novels
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