Booklists for Santa

Everybody has a list of suggested books for gifts this time of year and I feel compelled to share as well. I always think books make great gifts, of course I do, but really they are personal and it's a great time of year to read. I usually read fiction, but I have some non-fiction suggestions as well. Some of these are old, some are new, and some I haven't read yet but can't wait to! Let's start with the Russians: Get acquainted with the father of Russian modernism. Get your toes wet with Gogol, or your nose more likely. In The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol you'll have a mix of humor and unforgettable characters. Is this satire? Is it social criticism? perhaps, but don't let it scare you, read "The Nose" first. You'll be hooked!"One day his nose disappears and then turns up "by himself' in the street wearing the uniform of a state councillor(like a general)". "Gogol's art influenced Dostoevsky decisively, turning him from a social romantic into a 'fantastic realist'". There we have it. Yes, I am recommending Dostoevsky as a Christmas read. If you haven't read them, or you read them a long time ago. Go take a brave dive there. Wonderful characters with the ability to force you to examine yourself. Please pick up Crime and Punishment or The Brothers Karamazov. You won't want them to end(and they don't for a very long time)Believe me the characters will follow you around for the rest of your life.

Not quite so old(1999)but a small novel of great power, Timbuktu by Paul Auster. "Mr. Bones(the dog) opens the novel in a state of near-pure ontological terror, mostly because Willy G. Christmas, the homeless man who has been his boon companion and spiritual adviser, isn't long for this world, and in such a case, what's a poor dog to do? ''Every thought, every memory, every particle of the earth and air was saturated with Willy's presence. . . . Subtract Willy from the world, and the odds were that the world itself would cease to exist.''(NYTimes) Who doesn't want to read about a dog and his devotion at Christmas time? In the mood for non-fiction?

Try behind the beautiful forevers by Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Boo. "carries the reader headlong into one of the twenty-first century's hidden worlds-and into the hearts of families impossible to forget" On many best books of year lists, although 2012, still resonates. A story of how families under the burden of poverty.(NYTIMES) For the artist in your family try Leaving China-An Artist Paints His World War II Childhood by James McMullan

"It is this dreamlike quality of my memories that I wanted to capture in some way in the paintings that accompany the text-to suggest in the images that the events occurred a long time ago in a simpler yet more exotic world, and that the players in that world, including me, are at a distance."-James McMullan What I'm reading right now: Fierce Convictions-The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More-Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist by Karen Swallow Prior. "A woman who changed history with the power of her pen and her personality." A fascinating biography of a woman that I didn't know anything about but should have. Check the story at Goodreads. But what I want for Christmas is: The Nazi Officer's wife by Edith Beer. This isn't a new book either(2000) but I guess I'm just catching up.(Goodreads) also this one: Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Killing Fields by Wendy Lower _"Wendy Lower’s stunning account of the role of German women on the World War II Nazi eastern front powerfully revises history, proving that we have ignored the reality of women’s participation in the Holocaust, including as brutal killers. The long-held picture of German women holding down the home front during the war, as loyal wives and cheerleaders for the Führer, pales in comparison to Lower’s incisive case for the massive complicity, and worse, of the 500,000 young German women she places, for the first time, directly in the killing fields of the expanding Reich". All of this interest is spurred by my recent trip to the National Holocaust Museum. Very powerful. (NYTIMES)

Not exactly Holiday Reading

(image by Ray Bartkus) Ok, so I know I want to recommend inspirational stories for the upcoming season. For that here is my top one: Unbroken. Many of you have read it but if you haven't please read it before the film. I know the film will be good because the story is, but there is nothing like experiencing Louis Zamperini's story through the words of Laura Hillenbrand. And now for something entirely different..... Hillary Mantel-I knew of her, she was on the shelf to read-you know that stack-, but really hadn't read her work until I picked up a collection of short stories, her recent The assassination of Margaret Thatcher. Although it caused quite a stir in England, I don't think it should distract from her being one of the best contemporary British writers of our time. One story, "Comma". was written about in NYTimes Book Review, which was so compelling; I decided to try it. So amazing. Well that led me to one of her former works, Beyond Black.(NYTimes review)-If you like the whole idea of something existing that we can't understand, psychics with weight issues and considerabley dark hilarious humor-pick it up and read, or buy it for your favorite reader -or just borrow it from our Judge Learning Commons! (Although Mrs. Simpson has it right now!) Stay tuned for more recommendations for the readers in your families.

Another good read

Although we have a lot of good spooky new books in the L.C., I thought I would write about a book I just recently finished and that many of you may like. A different kind of horror, Anthony Doer's All the Light We Cannot See. I have read many Holocaust books, both fiction and non-fiction and I have to say this isn't my favorite. However, I did love the changes in narration and time and Doer's well drawn characters. If you had asked me when I was 3/4 of the way through, I would say I couldn't put it down. But you read it and see. Somehow the ending just trails off. I do mean trail, many lose ends and no resolution. The intention of the author is clear and he certainly reinforces the loss of those in the war. I think what is really engaging in this narration is the juxtaposition of these voices. His description is very visual, highlighted by the main character's inability to see. What struct me most overall, was the loss of so much potential. Stay tuned -the L.C. is going to have a Holocaust Literature evening next semester.

SPOOKY TIME IN THE LC!!!

REMEMBER TO JOIN US OCT.30 5-8 FOR BOOK TALK AND FILM-DON'T FORGET TO TURN IN PERMISSION SLIP! Books to read to get in the mood: This is a great read, mainly because it is ShirleyJackson, remember "The Lottery"? It is about being an outsider, society as a group mentality, murder and poison. -And of course there's a twist! Next is a very well written story by John Boyne. It reads a little like Dickens but I thought more like Emily Bronte. The central character is placed in a no win situation and there are creepy things happening. It is a traditional haunted story. This one is scary guys, and really for mature audiences. Warning there are violent scenes and some sexual references. This is about a heavy metal rocker that buys a ghost on ebay. (he learns it was a set up) You will definitely be on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put it down-by the way, Joe Hill is Steven King's son!

New in our library

I haven't read this one yet but is next on my list-come grab it before me! It's a NY Times Bestseller and sounds very intriguing. From GoodReads:"a captivating story of two very different women who build an unexpected friendship: a 91-year-old woman with a hidden past as an orphan-train rider and the teenage girl whose own troubled adolescence leads her to seek answers to questions no one has ever thought to ask.....Rich in detail and epic in scope, Orphan Train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of second chances, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are."

And this, again from the NYTimes Bestseller list-"In a swift and breathtaking narrative, Susannah tells the astonishing true story of her descent into madness, her family's inspiring faith in her, and the lifesaving diagnosis that nearly didn't happen. Brain on Fire is an unforgettable exploration of memory and identity, faith and love, and a profoundly compelling tale of survival and perseverance that is destined to become a classic."-"This story has a happy ending, but take heed: It is a powerfully scary book."-The Washington Post- Read the full review

Welcome Back!

It is with great pleasure I greet you all and relish in the opportunity to use this blog to introduce some great reading material. As a librarian and A.P. Literature teacher I am passionate about indulging in stories. I will use this blog to introduce new and old works that you may want to check out!

Doc by Mary Doria Russll-2012. Recommended by our own James Cordova- JM Football Coach and devoted reader! This was a wonderful story that I was surprised I liked, mainly because this was out of my usual "comfort" genre. Goodreads states :" Authentic, moving, and witty, Mary Doria Russell’s fifth novel redefines these two towering figures of the American West and brings to life an extraordinary cast of historical characters, including Holliday’s unforgettable companion, Kate. First and last, however, Doc is John Henry Holliday’s story, written with compassion, humor, and respect by one of our greatest contemporary storytellers."-Pick this up if you want something different, historical and truly enlightening. Really loved the characters. Easy read!-Thanks James!