| Gretchen
writes: Alexandra
Fuller , author of Don’t
Let’s go to the Dogs Tonight takes
readers further into the heart of Africa with a disturbing,
powerful, personal journal. Scribbling
the Cat (isbn:1594200165)  explores
the aftereffects of the Rhodesian War on the men who
fought it as well as the land and people of Africa.
With a hard-bitten white African veteran as her guide,
Fuller travels to revisit the scenes of war and old
comrades whose lives are still filled with raw memories
to try to discern some ultimate meaning. Compassionate
but unsparing, this book may haunt you.
James
Sullivan recalls a boyhood dream to introduce
his travel journal, Over
the Moat. (isbn:0312422377) Somewhere
“ …there was a girl whom I would marry.
Even then her life was moving inexorably toward mine.”
However, Sullivan never envisioned that he would have
to bike halfway around the world to meet his future
bride in Vietnam. As the lovers overcome cultural and
bureaucratic obstacles to their marriage, readers are
immersed in Asian customs, with a focus on everyday
family life in Hue, a city still besieged by memories
of the Vietnam War.
The world of golf both
celebrated at the 2004 Masters, when Phil Mickelson
won his first major, and mourned, when Bruce Edwards’
death was announced. Edwards, who caddied for Tom Watson
for over thirty years, is the subject of Caddy
for Life (isbn:031677889) by
John
Feinstein. Feinstein who also wrote Open,
tells a stirring story of two friends, the top golfer
and his caddy for most of his life, who collaborated
to win eight major titles and thirty-nine PGA Tour events.
This is more than a sports book—it is the tale
of an extraordinary and enduring friendship.
Just out, the colorful Art/Shop/Eat
guides are chock full of essential information for art
lovers that focuses on museums in the USA and abroad,
with tips on nearby cafes and interesting places to
shop. Complete with museum floor plans and handy phone
numbers, these handsome books are small enough to fit
in pockets or purses.
Marilyn
writes: Marian
Keyes has a new novel out this May, The
Other Side of the Story (isbn: 0060520515).
I hadn’t read any of her books previously, but
now I’m a new fan of this author! If you are looking
for a fun read that still has some interesting things
to say about love, work, and life’s funny twists,
this is a wonderful book.
Dede writes:
I continue to urge you to read Chang-Rae
Lee’s new novel Aloft.
(isbn:1573222631)
If this novel does not win a prize, I will be very disappointed.
The author examines the American dream through the voice
of Italian-American Jerry Battle. Set on Long Island,
this is a compassionate and lyrical portrait of an ordinary
man and his family.
A
Song I Knew ByY Heart by
Brett
Lott (isbn:0375503773) is
inspired by the biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. Tenderly
and gently told, it is about the healing power of family.
Though we read a lot of books, this one remains in my
memory.
The
Full Cupboard Of Life by Alexander
McCall Smith ( isbn 0375422188 )
is now on the new fiction table. The fifth book in the
charming No.
1 Ladies Detective Agency series brings
us back to Botswana. Mma. Ramotswe is as wise and resourceful
as ever, but when will she marry the kind and serious
J.L.B.Matekoni, proprietor of Speedy Motors? Surely
we can count on a happy ending, after the current problems
have been solved. I think you will be delighted with
the latest in this series.
Island
Of First Light by Norman
Gautreau
(isbn:1931561710 )
brings us to remote Alabaster Island off the coast of
Maine – literally the first place in the United
States to see the dawn. I was fascinated by Norman’s
story of the Acadian people’s tragic expulsion
from Canada and how he brought it to life with mysterious
ties to the present. With Norman you can smell the salt
air and the pines of Maine!
Clean
Like A Man: Housekeeping for Men (and the Women who
Love Them ) by Tom
McNulty (isbn:140004975X)
has manly cleaning advice. It is forthright and practical
with funny “ guy” observations. This would
make a good gift for an adult son moving into a home
of his own. The author fears becoming like Felix Unger,
but not to worry!
Cottage
For Sale by Kate
Whouley (isbn:1889833746)
is a real charmer. Why
would you want to read about a house renovation project?
Because it is a quirky and warm story set on Cape Cod
and when the house is finished, you want to move in.
Alice writes:
Ann
Patchett, author of Bel
Canto, has a memoir, Truth
and Beauty, coming out this month. With
poetic prose, Patchett recounts her friendship with
recently deceased friend, Lucy Grealy. After becoming
good friends at the Iowa Writer’s conference,
the two journey through their successes and frustrations
together. Grealy, the author of The
Autobiography of a Face, spent most of
her life dealing with the severe distortions left behind
by a childhood operation. Truth
and Beauty chronicles the heart of friendship,
and although it’s true and personal to their experiences,
there is a universality and depth to the gamut of emotions
shared in all friendships.
From the Children’s
Room
Pat & Isabel write: Winchester native Matt Tavares’
new book Oliver’s
Game has come out just in time for baseball season.
A beautifully illustrated story about Oliver Hall and
his grandfather, and their love for baseball, especially
the Chicago Cubs. (isbn 0763618527) Another
colorfull picture book full of information is the new
book by Sleeping Bear Press, H
is For Homerun By by Brad Herzog. (isbn 1585362190)
This book in ABC format is filled with facts and fun
for all ages. The board book by DK filled with photography
and facts is a great addition to the very youngest of
fans.
May 9th being the celebration
of Mother’s Day, finds many titles to choose from
about Mothers and all the different things they do for
us. A favorite of ours is
Mama Loves by Rebecca Kai Dotlich. (isbn 0060294078)
Every page is filled with all the things that Mama loves
to do with each of her little pigglets, but mostly,
she loves to do them because she is with them. When
You Were Just A Heartbeat by Laurel Molk (isbn 0316579807)
is
just the book for mothers-to-be. Beautiful watercolored
illustrations as well as text make this a wonderful
gift for moms awaiting their special arrival.
Lately many of our most popular titles have been made
into moveies or are in the process of being made. Holes,
Princess Diaries, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen,
Ella Enchanted and Cheaper By the Dozen are a few. Remember,
the book is almost always better than the movie.
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