Kathleen's Staff Picks

Wow! This book (and audio book) are absolutely phenomenal. I will start by saying, as a rule, I never enjoy books written in verse. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this one - especially listening to the audio. Five different voice actors perform the role of two dozen passengers and crew, and even the Iceberg.

Everyone knows Titanic. We've heard the story, seen the movie, and romanticized the horrific disaster a dozen different ways. What we haven't really experienced is the raw emotion that Wolf brings us with this extraordinary book. The characters he depicts are so convincing, I had to remind myself that this is a work of fiction. Many times I found myself entangled in the lives of the passengers; so much so that my heart ached knowing many of them would not be arriving in New York, to return home or start anew.

We get to know the Captain & crew, socialites, immigrants, children & con artists. Allan Wolf has done meticulous research and given us fascinating background & notes at the end of his work. Quoting Wolf on page 435,"But my aim in writing The Watch That Ends the Night was not to present history. My aim was to present humanity. The people represented in this book lived and breathed and loved. They were as real as you or me. They could have been any one of us." I think that Mr.Wolf did a wonderful job presenting both.

This book was sitting on my shelf at home for quite a while after I picked it up at a book sale somewhere. I quite literally had to dust it off in order to read it! I am sorry I didn't pick it up sooner because I really enjoyed it. Amy and Isabelle are a teen daughter and her single mother living in a small town in rural Maine in the 1960s. As typical mother-daughter relationships go at this age, the two cannot relate to one another at all. Amy, of course, thinks her mother just doesn't understand her at all, while Isabelle feels that Amy is constantly judging her.

When Amy is seduced by a new teacher at her school, the aftermath is life changing for both of them. Though the scenes with Amy and Mr.Robertson are difficult to read (as a mother, I wanted to beat the hell out of him!), this coming-of-age tale is beautifully written and really makes you love the characters. I think it would make a great discussion book for book clubs - lots to talk about here!

Okay, I'll admit it, I've never actually read J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, so I began reading this only knowing the Disney movie version of the story. This is Tiger Lily's story as told from Tinker Bell's point-of-view and it works marvelously! Folks expecting a nice, neat Disney tale are in for a rude awakening. Anderson doesn't pull any punches in describing the events taking place in Neverland - there is plotting, scheming, violence & prejudice, yet beneath it all is a beautiful story of young Peter Pan and Tiger Lily finding love with one another and shaping the people that they become. Tiger Lily is a unique retelling of a favorite tale that solidly stands on its own. I would definitely recommend this to both high school and adult readers.

A hilarious take on a 7th grade boy's life from the pen of Tim Carvell, head writer at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. The book is in diary format and follows Tad on various adventures & life lessons throughout the year.

Whether he is fighting with his younger sister, Sophie, disagreeing with his utterly uncool parents, or getting into trouble with his friends Chuck & Kevin, Tad's observations and escapades deliver solid laughter. A typical day in Tad's life goes something like this: "JANUARY 11 [mood: annoyed] Today, Mr. Parker had us diagram sentences again. I told him that I didn't want to have to keep doing this, because the only job where you have to diagram sentences is middle-school teacher, and I plan on being something better than that. He didn't say anything. He just got very quiet and gave us all a pop quiz on diagramming sentences. I got a D."

Clearly, anyone who is (or was) a teenager can relate to Tad. He is a very likable and insightful kid - without any knowledge of either trait, which makes him even more endearing. Parents, if you have a child who is a reluctant reader, especially if they are a middle or high school boy, get this book in their hands! If my review doesn't sell it to them, point out that parts of this book were originally published in MAD magazine. That ought to hook them. And if you, like me, are an adult or teen who appreciates the type of humor Carvell doles out with amazing skill, don't hesitate to read this for yourself.

A co-worker gave this to me to read because she thought it was my kind of book. I had never heard of it, but boy am I glad she thought of me, this book is amazing! Julia, an 11 year old girl in California, is the narrator of the story and the tale she has to tell is riveting. The days on earth are inexplicably getting longer, what they refer to in the book as "the slowing". There is no explanation for why this is happening, but it is soon apparent that this is not an illusion and it also is not temporary. Each day is longer, as are the nights. Birds start falling from the sky, whales are beaching themselves on the shorelines, crops are being affected; but also neighbors are turning against each other and familial relationships are strained. Many of the events taking place in the book are things that may have happened anyway, but the fact that they are happening with "the slowing" hanging over everything makes you pause to think about it a bit more. An absolutely fascinating & satisfying read!! I loved it!

If you listen to NPR on Friday mornings, you may be familiar with the interviews from David Isay’s StoryCorps Project.  Shortly after 9/11, David Isay decided he wanted to record an oral history of America.  Not just any history, mind you, he set out to capture the lives of everyday Americans --- your average John & Jane Doe, not the elite upper-crust celebrities that traditionally dominate the media.  He set up a recording booth in Grand Central Station in New York City where family members and friends can record interviews with each other.  It became so popular that now there is a traveling recording booth as well that makes stops in cities all around the USA.  Copies of the interviews are given to the participants and also archived in the Library of Congress.  In short, the StoryCorps project is archiving the incredible oral history of the people who make up our great nation. 

Listening Is an Act of Love contains excerpts from some of these interviews.  You will find tales of senior citizens recounting what it was like to grow-up in the “old days” and a son reunited with his birth mother.  There are stories from survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the attacks on the World Trade Center.  You will also hear from people who have first-hand experienced prejudice or severe illness and the profound effects this had on them.  Simply put, this is a human interest story that places you in the shoes of those who have walked before us, or have taken a different path.  It is amazing, touching, sad and heart-warming all at once.  This is truly a book for everyone.

The first time I read this book, I thought it was “okay”.   I don’t often read books a second time, and certainly not ones that I didn’t find phenomenal on the first go around.  However, a couple years ago, someone in my book club selected this and I decided to give it a second chance.  I discovered this book to be well-deserving of my choice.   

Iris Lockhart lives in Scotland where she runs her own vintage-clothing shop.  She is going about her business one day when she receives a phone call that changes her life forever.   Cauldstone Hospital, a mental institution, is closing its doors and her great-Aunt Esme, whom she never knew existed, is being released after over 60 years of being locked away.  Iris’s grandmother, Kitty, is Esme’s sister; but Kitty always claimed to be an only child – a fact that Iris never had any reason to question.  This book travels back in forth in time and setting, from India to Scotland – revealing many details about Iris’s family.  There are so many layers to this story.  It is fascinating, horrifying and mysterious!  The ending leaves you wanting more, yet somehow seems appropriate. Not all questions are answered, but it really makes you think.  Take your time when reading this one; Allow yourself time to digest each chapter before diving in to devour the next one.  Knowing this going in, I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did – the second time around, of course.

Maisie Dobbs is the first book in this mystery series set in Great Britain during the late 1920’s to early 1930’s.  This particular story takes place in 1929 when Maisie’s mentor, Maurice Blanche, has retired and she has just opened up her own detective agency.  Christopher Davenham, suspecting his wife of infidelity, is her first client.  What would appear to be an open-and-shut case, however, soon turns up another mystery that brings Maisie’s past to the forefront of her mind, forcing her to deal with some painful memories.

Maisie Dobbs reads a lot more like historical fiction than mystery due to the author’s style of developing her characters.  This may bother some readers, but I appreciated the in-depth look into Maisie’s past to set the stage for the series.  I can assure you that in the second novel, Birds of a Feather, Winspear’s focus shifts to the mystery.  There are currently nine books in the series.  The remaining seven are Pardonable Lies, Messenger of Truth, An Incomplete Revenge, Among the Mad, The Mapping of Love and Death, A Lesson in Secrets, and Elegy for Eddie.  I highly recommend this series to those who enjoy gentle mysteries (think Alexander McCall Smith), as well as to fans of all things British.  Maisie is a delightful character, far ahead of her time.  I am looking forward to reading more about her.

An airplane full of teen beauty queens, on their way to the Miss Teen Dream pageant (sponsored by The Corporation), crash lands on a remote tropical island. Many of them, of course, do not survive, but never fear...Miss Texas, Taylor Rene Krystal Hawkins (don't you love it?), is there to assume the leadership role! She promptly divides the girls into two groups. The Lost Girls trek into the jungle to check out their new surroundings, while the Sparkle Ponies stay on the beach and salvage what they can from the wrecked plane. Thus begins this satirical tale, that pokes fun at everything from reality television to politics, and includes a healthy dose of feminism for good measure.

Bray masterfully points out the ridiculousness of modern American society and our obsession with beauty and celebrity. As a person who works with teens, I particularly appreciate the fact that the author demonstrates a tremendous amount of respect for her audience by not 'dumbing down' the text or content. While everything in the story is completely 'over the top,' the ultimate message rings clear and true: it is okay to be yourself, no matter who you are. Although this book is written for a teen audience, I think many adults would find it equally enjoyable. In fact, I think this would make an excellent choice for a book club selection as there are endless topics of discussion to be developed.

On the night before her fifteenth birthday, Liz gets into a heated argument with her mother that ends with Liz running away from home. Laura, the anguished and guilt-ridden mother, is left sitting in their Baton Rouge home praying for Liz's quick and safe return. To pass the time, Laura decides to write her daughter a letter about her own troubled adolescence. In doing so, she hopes to give Liz insight that she does understand what she is going through. Laura's parents had her sent to a strict Catholic boarding school following her forbidden relationship with a boy from the wrong part of town. In the telling of her story, the reader is transported to a time when some things were different but others very much the same.

This is a great coming of age novel that women, both young and old, can relate to. It is an extremely fast read at less than 150 pages, but it will touch you for a very long time. Have a box of Kleenex nearby when you read this one - for a man, George Bishop captures the pain of being a teenage girl and a mother with astonishing accuracy. Well done!

I purchased this book in the spring and it was on my "to read" shelf for months. Then, someone in my book club suggested the title and it was chosen for our October book selection. I don't know why I didn't start reading it sooner! I LOVED it! Loving Frank is a historical fiction novel based on real events. It tells the story of world-famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, and his affair with one of his clients, the also married Mamah Borthwick Cheney. The unique perspective of this book is that it is told from Mamah's point-of-view. Wright is a larger than life character. There is no shortage of information available about him, so I was pleased that the author chose to give Mamah a voice.

Prior to reading the novel, I had heard of the affair and always thought both Cheney and Wright were extremely selfish to do what they did (running off to Europe together while leaving their families behind). Although I certainly don't agree with the choices they made, Horan did a wonderful job of portraying Mamah's thought process. I found myself able to empathize with her and have more understanding of her motives.

The novel covers a large span of time - from Wright's beginnings as an apprentice architect in Chicago, through the building of his famed Wisconsin residence, Taliesen, and beyond. Nancy Horan lived in Oak Park, IL, the location of Wright's home & studio, for 24 or 25 years which added to the authenticity. She obviously did a lot of research as well. I would highly recommend this story to anyone with an interest in Frank Lloyd Wright or in women's fiction. This is Horan's first novel (hard for me to believe!) and I look forward to seeing what she does in the future.

You are all familiar with the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and yet, many of us are guilty of this offense each and every time we stroll through the library or bookstore searching for the next perfect read.  Do yourselves a favor and heed this advice!  Bossypants by Tina Fey, quite literally, boasts one of the most hideous covers of 2011. (Seriously!  Look at it!  What were they THINKING?!?)  However, if you pass this one up, you will be depriving yourself of one of the funniest memoirs to come along in recent memory.

Those of you familiar with Fey’s work on SNL and 30 Rock, will be delighted to get a “behind the scenes” look into the creation of those shows.  In addition, there is plenty of Tina’s self-deprecating humor to go around.  Throughout the book, you get the inside look at Fey’s rise to the top of the comedy industry and the uphill battles she faced, in a male dominated industry, along the way.  If you are searching for a light & funny read after the chaos of the holiday season, look no further.  

This is a read I would highly recommend to both boys & girls. Tennyson & Bronte are teenage twins whose parents happen to be literature professors. Tennyson is not pleased that his sister has recently started dating Brewster (aka Bruiser), the boy voted "most likely to get the death penalty." Bruiser lives with his mean, alcoholic uncle and his 8 year old brother, Cody. The family is perceived as "no good" and pretty much keeps to themselves.

Tennyson decides he is going to deliver a warning to stay away from Bronte when he sees Brewster in the locker room at school. However, as he is about to approach him, he catches sight of Brewster with his shirt off and there are horrendous bruises all over him. Thinking that Brewster's uncle is abusing him, Tennyson questions Brewster and is told "things aren't always what they seem".

Strange things start to occur around Brewster. Bronte twists her ankle while hiking with Brewster and he massages it, making the pain disappear. However, for the next several days, Brewster himself is walking with a limp. As Tennyson & Bronte become more involved in Brewster's life, it becomes clear that everyone feels much better around Brewster, but at what cost to him?

This book is intriguing, well-written and will keep you guessing to the end.

It is the 1950s and seventeen year old Kit Corrigan has not had an easy life. She is part of a set of triplets that were raised by their poor, Irish, immigrant father in Providence, RI. The triplets (aka The Corrigan Three) lost their mother during their birth. Kit has always had big dreams of being a performer on Broadway and after the break up of her rocky relationship with boyfriend Billy, Kit heads out to New York City with stars in her eyes. Meanwhile, Billy and Kit's brother, Jamie, enlist in the Army together and are preparing to ship off to Korea.

Kit has to lie about her age to work and finds herself struggling to make it as a dancer in a third rate show that's way off-Broadway. She is living with a fellow dancer and her mother - sleeping on their sofa -- and things are not going well for Kit. Then, someone from her past reappears and seemingly has the answers to all of Kit's problems.

Enter Nate Benedict. Nate is Billy's father, a big shot lawyer with rumored mob connections and he has an offer too good for Kit to refuse. He sets her up with a new apartment, clothes, shoes, and a job at the Lido, one of the top nightclubs in the city. There's "no strings attached" -- all Kit has to do in exchange is to contact Billy & do a few "small favors" for him every once in a while. No big deal.

Soon, strange things start happening and Kit starts to realize she might be in over her head. There are no "small favors" when it comes to the mafia, but with the typical naivety of a teenage girl, Kit doesn't get the clues that make the reader gasp aloud. This book was written on the heels of What I Saw and How I Lied, which won Judy Blundell the National Book Award for Youth, and it doesn't disappoint.

Blundell has a real talent for writing in the noir genre. You can almost feel yourself sitting in the smoky nightclub, sipping drinks along-side John Dillinger type gangsters & Hollywood starlets. This is a book with high appeal to both teens and adults. I highly recommend it.

Noelle Hancock, born and raised in Houston, TX, was the founding writer of Us Weekly’s entertainment blog.  At age 28, she had spent her career writing about celebrities lives and in doing so, forgot to live her own.  When she unexpectedly lost her job, which she found out about during a tropical beach vacation, Noelle is completely devastated and has no idea what to do.

One day, when sitting in a coffee shop, she sees a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that speaks to her: “Do one thing each day that scares you.”  Noelle realizes there is quite a bit in life that scares her and becomes inspired by Eleanor.  When speaking with her therapist, she decides that on her 29^th birthday she is going to take up the challenge of living Eleanor’s words.  She is going to spend a year conquering her fears.  Her parents scoff and wonder aloud how she will survive.  They tell her she should move back home to Texas from New York.  They tell her she should go to law school.

Noelle, however, is determined to see this idea through.  This book is a shared journey with Noelle through her “year of fear”.  We feel her joy, pain, & apprehension as she struggles with such fears as skydiving, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and the security of her relationship with Matt, her boyfriend.  In addition, the book is sprinkled with anecdotes about Eleanor Roosevelt – all of which are interesting. This memoir was truly a delight --- it read like a work of fiction, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I just read this book for the second time, this time was for book club, and I loved it even more than before!  I think this time because I knew that it ended in a good way, I was able to focus a little more on individual characters actions and their motivations.  This book is heart-wrenching, it will make you cringe and it may make you cry ---- but the courage and strength displayed by the women, both Mariam and Laila is truly inspiring and makes me feel very blessed to have been born in the US.

This was a gripping "unputdownable" story! When an asteroid collides with the moon, sending it much closer to earth than it should be (you can see the craters without a telescope), the worldwide effects are devastating. There are tsunamis, earthquakes, & volcanic eruptions. "Life as we knew it" becomes a thing of the past. This is a story of survival and how one 16 year old girl is stronger than she ever knew possible. The book was very realistic and really got me thinking....what if something like this really happened??? Very well done.