Last Library Visit of 2012

                                                   


I went to the library today to pick up two books that were on hold for me.  I will be starting 2013 by reading The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts, the third book in the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy, and The Little Disturbances of Man, a collection of short stories by Grace Paley.  Should make for quite the contrast both style-wise and content-wise.

Happy new year's eve...all the best to you in 2013...thanks for reading along with me.

Catherine

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Last Library Visit of 2012 was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Reader's Report Card 2012

  Since 2004, I've set a goal of reading 100 books every year. I don't always meet this goal--in fact, my number for 2012 is 65 books, but in 2 days I get to start again.

Here's my top 10 list of favorite books read in 2012, in no particular order:    
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grisssom
The Expats by Chris Pavone
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The Life Boat by Charlotte Rogan
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
The House at Tyneford  by Natasha Solomons
Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear (Maisie Dobbs series)

According to my notes, I did more reading in 2011 (94 books); 2010 (83 books); 2009 (94 books); and 2008, the only year I met and exceeded my goal by finishing 101 books.  But 2012 tops my records for 2007 (54 books); 2006 (10 books); 2005 (24 books) and 2004 (27 books). 

My goal for 2013 will once again be 100 books.  I enjoy the challenge, even when other aspects of life prevent me from meeting it.

Here's to more reading in 2013!

Catherine

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Reader's Report Card 2012 was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Saturday Shorts--Quote of the Day

"Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures."

--Jessamyn West

Catherine

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Saturday Shorts--Quote of the Day was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Final Friday Fiction 2012

I got a text message last night from a friend that read, "Help...I need a book to read...I'm lost...can't find one that grabs me."

I sent her three suggestions; two books that I read earlier this year and one book that I will be reading for an upcoming book club meeting.  They are:

                         

Only Time Will Tell is the first in a new series by Jeffrey Archer called the Clifton Chronicles. The story begins in 1920s England and introduces readers to Harry Clifton, a young fatherless lad, whose life changes dramatically after meeting the rich and powerful Barrington family.  Rarely am I so hooked by a book, but Archer's characters are so interesting and the story is so compelling that I read the book in a single day.  I have since read the second book, The Sins of the Father, and now await the next in the series, Best Kept Secret, which will be available in May 2013.  I've borrowed books in the series from my local library.

The Light Between Oceans is a haunting debut novel about a lighthouse keeper and his much younger wife set on remote Janus Rock, Australia after World War I.  M. (Margo) L. Stedman tells a captivating story of the couple's life-changing decision that creates a moral dilemma of huge proportion, for which they seek redemption.  I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, Scribner.

I'll be reading How It All Began by Penelope Lively for a book club meeting at the end of January. I recently placed a request for the book at my local public library.  I'm looking forward to starting it because it comes highly recommended by an avid reader.


Catherine

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Final Friday Fiction 2012 was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Thursday Thoughts--The Racketeer

  In between delicious meals, fabulous presents, and quality family time, I managed to squeeze in some reading.  I chose John Grisham's newest novel, The Racketeer, which I borrowed from my local public library.  In his latest legal whodunnit, Grisham creates an interesting scenario: 

When Federal Judge Raymond Fawcett is found murdered execution-style with his latest love interest in a secluded cabin in the Virginia backwoods, the FBI is charged with solving the crime.  There are no clues left behind at the scene, except for a heavy-duty safe that has been cleared of its contents.  As the pressure to find the killer mounts, the FBI reluctantly turns to disbarred attorney, Malcolm Bannister, who claims he knows the killer's identity.  Half-way through a 10-year prison sentence for RICO violations, Bannister cuts a deal for his freedom in exchange for an indictment against the murderer.  But, despite a confession, is the man Bannister fingers the guilty party?

On the surface, this appears to be an open and shut case, and the killer and motive seem obvious.  Yet in classic Grisham style, the devil is in the details.  Who is the real Racketeer?  There is no paucity of suspects.  This fast-paced legal thriller, complete with Grisham's signature commentary on the legal system, is a real page-turner.

Catherine

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Thursday Thoughts--The Racketeer was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.
  

Waiting on Wednesday--New Fiction

 

The Waiting on Wednesday concept is a weekly feature of the Breaking the Spine blog.  It's a great way to share information about a forthcoming title that is on my radar screen with other readers.





Today's anticipated book is:
 
The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards
by Kristopher Jansma
Publication Date: March 21, 2013
Publisher: Viking Press
Preorder now from online and bricks and mortar bookstores

From barnesandnoble.com:

An inventive and witty debut about a young man’s quest to become a writer and the misadventures in life and love that take him around the globe.

From as early as he can remember, the hopelessly unreliable—yet hopelessly earnest—narrator of this ambitious debut novel has wanted to become a writer.

From the jazz clubs of Manhattan to the villages of Sri Lanka, Kristopher Jansma’s irresistible narrator will be inspired and haunted by the success of his greatest friend and rival in writing, the eccentric and brilliantly talented Julian McGann, and endlessly enamored with Julian’s enchanting friend, Evelyn, the green-eyed girl who got away. After the trio has a disastrous falling out, desperate to tell the truth in his writing and to figure out who he really is, Jansma’s narrator finds himself caught in a never-ending web of lies.

As much a story about a young man and his friends trying to make their way in the world as a profoundly affecting exploration of the nature of truth and storytelling, The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards will appeal to readers of Tom Rachman’s The Imperfectionists and Jennifer Egan’s Pulitzer Prize–winning A Visit from the Goon Squad with its elegantly constructed exploration of the stories we tell to find out who we really are.

My thoughts:  There is a lot of early buzz for this debut novel by a regular contributor to the Electric Literature's blog, The Outlet. I have seen an advanced reader copy of the novel, and based on reading the first 100 pages, I find the author's introductory chapters and style inventive and refreshing.  I'm calling it a must read for spring.

Catherine

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Waiting on Wednesday--New Fiction was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Christmas Cheer

This morning I finished reading Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb.  It was a very satisfying read with a bit of drama, a lot of humor, and the element of surprise.  And for anyone who attended a parochial school, there are lots of laughable scenarios to relate to.  (More about this book appeared in yesterday's blog post).

What is different about this particular Christmas story is the inclusion of an epilogue that bridges the gap between where the story ends in 1965 and the 21st century.  Readers discover what each young character grows up to be, and how the adult characters evolve with the changing times, embracing technology and other modern culture.  I enjoyed finding out what became of the class clown, the know-it-all, and the other students from St. Aloysius Gonzaga School, as well as the fates of the priests, nuns, and other adults.

Wally Lamb has written three other New York Times bestselling novels:  She's Come Undone (1992), I Know This Much Is True (1998), and The Hour I First Believed (2008).  As I learned from reading an interview with the author several years ago, each of his book titles has a musical connection.  Lamb's first novel bears the title of a hit song by The Guess Who; the second title is a lyric from a chart-topper by Spandau Ballet; and the third title is a lyric from the hymn, Amazing Grace.  The Christmas story bears the title of a song made popular by Dusty Springfield.  The author then incorporates the chosen song or lyric into the story through one or more of the characters.  For example, in Wishin' and Hopin', one of the characters sings along to the Dusty Springfield recording, and it is her favorite song.  It's yet another nice touch by a talented writer. 

Hope your day is filled with music and other delights.

Catherine

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Christmas Cheer was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

                                                       

Christmas--Wishin' and Hopin'

It's Christmas Eve and I'm reading Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb on my iPad's Kindle app.  Told through the eyes of 5th grader Felix Funicello, distant cousin of Annette, this is a nostalgic and humorous tale set in the mid-1960s in a more innocent, gentler Nutmeg State.

The trials and tribulations of Felix and his family--from his mother's disastrous experience at the Pillsbury Bake-Off finals; to his sisters' adolescent outbursts; to his own experiences at St. Aloysius Gonzaga parochial school, where he is cast as the little drummer boy in the school Christmas play--provide lighthearted entertainment filled with holiday spirit.  Grab an eggnog and some cookies and get to know the Funicello family and the other amusing characters Wally Lamb has created.

Merry Christmas, all.

Catherine

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Christmas--Wishin' and Hopin' was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Sunday Spotlight-- A Poignant Short Story

Today on Facebook, writer Alexander McCall Smith shared a link to his short story, What If, which appears in the Lifestyle section of the online edition of The Scotsman newspaper.  The story revolves around the luncheon conversation of three friends--now well-established in their careers and family lives--who have known each other since college.

I found the story thought provoking, especially given the timing.  As the end of the year approaches, introspective thoughts and a review of choices made are fairly common.

The story can be found at this link.

Catherine

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Sunday Spotlight--A Poignant Short Story was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Saturday Shorts--Quote of the Day

 

"Reading without thinking is nothing, for a book is less important for

what is says than for what it makes you think."

--from The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour

Catherine 

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Saturday Shorts--Quote of the Day was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Friday Facts--Maud Gonne

Maud Gonne, 1866-1953 (Photo source: ireland.wlu.edu)

Today is the birthday of Edith Maud Gonne, actress, feminist, and political activist born in England on December 21, 1866.  According to the Encyclopeaedia Brittanica online, Gonne was the romantic muse of Irish poet William Butler Yeats, and inspired his early poetry and plays.  Although Yeats proposed marriage to her on numerous occasions, Gonne refused his proposals because of her involvement with a French journalist.

While visiting Dublin last month, Maud Gonne came across my radar screen in two different instances.  The first was at the Schoolhouse Hotel in Ballsbridge, where I stayed during my trip.  All of the guest rooms at the hotel are named after people with a literary connection.  My room was named for Christy Brown, the Irish artist and author of My Left Foot, which was adapted into a movie starring Daniel Day-Lewis.  Several doors down the hall was the Maud Gonne room. 

My second Maud Gonne "sighting" was at the National Library of Ireland's exhibition, The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats.  Among other things, the exhibit chronicles the Gonne-Yeats relationship with photos, letters, and biographical data.

Maud was a fascinating woman who played a significant role in Irish history.  She influenced a major literary figure, and was involved in the development of Irish theatre and in the fight for Irish independence from England.

Catherine

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Friday Facts--Maud Gonne was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Thursday Thoughts--Open House Notes

 

Last Friday I spent the day at Random House for a series of panel discussions and interviews with an interesting mix of topics and guests.  The opening presentation was given by the the publishing team behind Justin Cronin's trilogy, of which the first two books--The Passage and The Twelve--have been released.  They shared their experiences acquiring and editing the manuscripts, as well as the marketing strategies used to attract readers to not one--but three--books, offering a candid, fascinating behind the scenes look at the making of a bestselling series.

Next up was an interview with chef Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster Restaurant, author of the memoir, Yes, Chef, conducted by his editor Andy Ward and Huffington Post food editor Carey Polis.  Samuelsson spoke of his ethnic heritage, how he began cooking, and the process of recalling and reflecting on the significant life events he undertook to write the book.  He recommended that everyone write a memoir as a way of looking back, even if it is for their eyes only.

Over box lunches inspired by favorite Random House cookbooks, a panel of book gurus made recommendations for titles to give as presents to various types of readers this holiday season.  Among the participants were bloggers Ann Kingman and Michael Kindness from Books on the Nightstand, which I highlighted in a previous blog post.

After lunch, Anna Quindlen was interviewed by her editor, Kate Medina.  The two discussed their relationship in the context of the many book projects they have shared over the years.  Quindlen is currently writing a novel and spoke of how she approaches fiction--she starts with a theme, and the characters and story develop from there.  She also spoke about her journalistic experiences writing the New York Times column, "Life in the 30's," and of striving to maintain a healthy work-life balance while caring for her family.

Rounding out the afternoon was Lucy Danziger, editor-in-chief at Self magazine who spoke about her recently released book, The Drop 10 Diet, sharing tips for healthy food substitutions, exercise, and general well-being.  A Drop 10 cookbook is planned.  A lively panel analysis of last month's presidential election followed, with Kurt Andersen, host of Public Radio International's "Studio 360" and author of True Believers; Charles Duhigg, New York Times reporter and author of The Power of Habit; and Emily Bazelon, editor at slate.com and author of the forthcoming book, Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy, which was featured in yesterday's blog post.

There was ample opportunity for audience questions during each session, and interspersed between the presentations were book signings by the authors. The price of admission included a choice of two hardcover books written by the authors.  Since Random House had previously sent me a copy of Yes, Chef, I chose Danziger's Drop 10 Diet and Quindlen's memoir, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake.  Call it my own personal food theme.

The event ended with a wine tasting and raffle drawings.  Definitely my kind of day.

Catherine

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Thursday Thoughts--Open House Notes was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Waiting on Wednesday--Sticks and Stones

The Waiting on Wednesday concept is a weekly feature of the Breaking the Spine blog.  It's a great way to share information about a forthcoming title that is on my radar screen.





This week's anticipated book:

            

Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and
Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy
by Emily Bazelon
Publication Date:  February 19, 2013
Publisher:  Random House
Preorder now from online and bricks and mortar bookstores

From amazon.com:
Being a teenager has never been easy, but in recent years, with the rise of the Internet and social media, it has become exponentially more challenging. Bullying, once thought of as the province of queen bees and goons, has taken on new, complex, and insidious forms, as parents and educators know all too well.

No writer is better poised to explore this territory than Emily Bazelon, who has established herself as a leading voice on the social and legal aspects of teenage drama. In Sticks and Stones, she brings readers on a deeply researched, clear-eyed journey into the ever-shifting landscape of teenage meanness and its sometimes devastating consequences. The result is an indispensable book that takes us from school cafeterias to courtrooms to the offices of Facebook, the website where so much teenage life, good and bad, now unfolds.

Along the way, Bazelon defines what bullying is and, just as important, what it is not. She explores when intervention is essential and when kids should be given the freedom to fend for themselves. She also dispels persistent myths: that girls bully more than boys, that online and in-person bullying are entirely distinct, that bullying is a common cause of suicide, and that harsh criminal penalties are an effective deterrent. Above all, she believes that to deal with the problem, we must first understand it.

Blending keen journalistic and narrative skills, Bazelon explores different facets of bullying through the stories of three young people who found themselves caught in the thick of it. Thirteen-year-old Monique endured months of harassment and exclusion before her mother finally pulled her out of school. Jacob was threatened and physically attacked over his sexuality in eighth grade—and then sued to protect himself and change the culture of his school. Flannery was one of six teens who faced criminal charges after a fellow student’s suicide was blamed on bullying and made international headlines. With grace and authority, Bazelon chronicles how these kids’ predicaments escalated, to no one’s benefit, into community-wide wars. Cutting through the noise, misinformation, and sensationalism, she takes us into schools that have succeeded in reducing bullying and examines their successful strategies. The result is a groundbreaking book that will help parents, educators, and teens themselves better understand what kids are going through today and what can be done to help them through it.

My thoughts:  This is a practical, timely, in-depth look at bullying--an important topic affecting today's children, teens, and parents--from a Yale Law School alumna who is a senior editor at Slate, a contributing writer at the New York Times Magazine, and a correspondent for The Colbert Report.

Catherine

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Waiting on Wednesday--Sticks and Stones was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.



 

Tuesday Tidbits--Holiday Shorts

 My recent blog post about short stories got me thinking about short stories with a holiday theme.  One of the most unusual collections I've come across is Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris.  The book is a compact 134 pages and just 6 stories, but it provides a heaping dose of the author's wicked wit and sarcasm.  There are many laugh out loud moments in Sedaris's observations of human behavior and popular seasonal culture; but be advised, this Sedaris collection isn't for everyone. Some readers may find his irreverence, language, and/or scenarios a bit over the top or offensive.  Suffice it to say you either like Sedaris's humor or you don't.

With story titles like SantaLand Diaries, which describes the author's experience working as an elf at Macy's Herald Square flagship store and Dinah, the Christmas Whore, about the Sedaris family's encounter with a woman of questionable status, the author tells it like he sees it.  These stories won't leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, but they are amusing.  And if you shed a tear while reading this collection, it will be from laughter, not sentimentality.

Catherine

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Tuesday Tidbits--Holiday Shorts was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Magazine Monday

If you are an avid mystery reader, chances are you've noticed Mystery Scene magazine at your local bookstore or newsstand.

Mystery Scene Holiday 2012  Issue

Mystery Scene is the go to source for in-depth coverage of the latest news in the mystery, crime, and suspense genres. The magazine is published 5 times a year, and contains a treasure trove of information in each issue.  Between its covers you'll find suggestions for what to read next, reader recommendations, interviews with authors, book reviews, upcoming event schedules, reading lists, and more.

If you are not a subscriber, you can get a sampling of author profiles, articles, blogs, and reviews on its website, where you can also sign up for an e-newsletter (or order a subscription to the print magazine for extended content).  This time of year in particular it's a good resource for gift ideas if you have a mystery, crime or suspense reader on your gift list.

Catherine  

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Magazine Monday was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Disclosure:  This is an independent mention of Mystery Scene, a magazine that until recently I have had a paid subscription to. No remuneration has been received.

Sunday Spotlight--Jane Austen

Happy Birthday, Jane!

Photo Source: imdb.com

"Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously..." Jane Austen, 1775-1817, in Pride and Prejudice

Today is the birthday of Jane Austen, British author of classic novels published in the 1800s, including Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Emma, and Persuasion, all of which can be read online at the Read book online website.

Information about the author's life and work is available at the website janeausten.org. The Jane Austen Centre and Jane Austen's House Museum also provide information about the author.  For dedicated Austen fans, there is a Jane Austen Society of North America with many interesting links.

Austen remains a popular literary figure, with modern-day adaptations of her works into films (such as Clueless) and fiction (such as Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding).  And who can forget the first monster mashup book, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith?  Because of an enduring fascination, it is not uncommon to find Austen's name in the title of contemporary novels.  Here is a sampling:

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict (first in a series) by Laurie Viera Rigler
Jane Austen Ruined My Life (first in a series) by Beth Pattillo
What Would Jane Austen Do? (first in a series) by Laurie Brown
Austenland (first in a series) by Shannon Hale

There's no better time than the present to reread an Austen classic or sample an Austen-inspired book.

Catherine

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Sunday Spotlight--Jane Austen was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Sad Saturday

"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy."

Prayer of St. Francis
St. Francis of Assissi

In loving memory of the children and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School who were brutally killed yesterday.  Heartfelt condolences, supportive thoughts, and loving prayers for all those affected by this horrific tragedy.

 

Catherine

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Sad Saturday was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Friday Field Trip

Today I'm spending the entire day at Random House's Manhattan headquarters.  

 

The publisher is sponsoring an Open House with a full-day of programming, including literary panels and discussions featuring Random House editors and authors. It's sure to be a fun and informative event.  Check back for more news from the program in upcoming blog posts.

Have a great weekend, all.  Mine is off to an excellent start!

Catherine

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Friday Field Trip was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Next Reads

My pile of books to read continues to grow...

I went to my local public library to pick up some books that I recently requested. These will be two of my next reads:

                                                                            

Staten Island Noir, a collection of stories set in New York City's forgotten borough, edited by Patricia Smith.

The Racketeer, John Grisham's latest legal thriller about the assassination of a federal judge.

Catherine

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Next Reads was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

      

Waiting on Wednesday--Double Feature

The Waiting on Wednesday concept is a weekly feature of the Breaking the Spine blog.  It's a great way to share information about a forthcoming title that is on my radar screen.




This week's anticipated book is:
 

Double Feature by Owen King, short story writer and son of Stephen King

Publication Date:  March 19, 2013
Publisher:  Scribner
Preorder now from online and bricks and mortar bookstores

From barnesandnoble.com:

An epic debut novel about a young man coming to terms with his life in the process and aftermath of making his first film—from critically acclaimed short story writer Owen King—for readers of Joshua Ferris, Sam Lipsyte, and Chad Harbach. 

Filmmaker Sam Dolan has a difficult relationship with his father, B-movie actor Booth Dolan—a boisterous, opinionated, lying lothario whose screen legacy falls somewhere between cult hero and pathetic. Allie, Sam’s dearly departed mother, was a woman whose only fault, in Sam’s eyes, was her eternal affection for his father. Also included in the cast of indelible characters: a precocious, frequently violent half-sister; a conspiracy-theorist second wife; an Internet-famous roommate; a family friend and contractor who can’t stop expanding his house; a happy-go-lucky college girlfriend and her husband, a retired Yankees catcher; the morose producer of a true crime show; and a slouching indie film legend. Not to mention a tragic sex monster.

Unraveling the tumultuous, decades-spanning story of the Dolan family’s friends, lovers, and adversaries, Double Feature is about letting go of everything—regret, resentment, ambition, dignity, moving pictures, the dead—and taking it again from the top. Combining propulsive storytelling and mordant wit against the backdrop of indie filmmaking, Double Feature brims with a deep understanding of the trials of ambition and art, of relationships and life, and of our attempts to survive it all.

My thoughts:  The plot description and characters piqued my interest...as did the famous father connection.

Catherine

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Waiting on Wednesday--Double Feature was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.
 

Tuesday Title--The Last Time I Saw You

Now that the holiday season is here, most of us will find ourselves participating in reunions with family and friends, and perhaps reminiscing about the past.  This scenario reminds me of a book I read earlier this year by bestselling author Elizabeth Berg. 

 

The Last Time I Saw You takes place at the fortieth—and last—class reunion of Whitley High School in Clear Springs, Ohio, and brings together a group of former classmates, each with their own expectations and reasons for attending. At first glance the novel’s characters are an expected mix of former cheerleaders, sports jocks, popular-types, and nerds. Yet under Berg’s expert hand, sensitivities and vulnerabilities are revealed, and interesting twists develop. 

Past trials and tribulations as well as current life dilemmas provide a vivid and insightful backdrop as the now mature characters interact, relive moments of teenage angst, and learn about themselves in the process. Humor and seriousness are well-balanced as these baby boomers individually and collectively ponder the lives created by their choices, come to terms with loneliness and regret, and welcome new friendships with old acquaintances. The weekend reunion proves to be more than a stroll down memory lane; it is an opportunity to develop new appreciation for the road traveled thus far and stamina for the road ahead. 

I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it to individual readers and book clubs alike.  

Catherine

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Tuesday Title--The Last Time I Saw You was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Monday Memory--Emily Dickinson

Photo Source: poetryfoundation.org

"I dwell in possibility..."   Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886


Today is the birthday of poet Emily Dickinson, who was born in Massachusetts on December 10, 1830. Dickinson was a gifted writer who lived in Amherst, now home to the Emily Dickinson Museum.  Its website has links to the poet's biography, life, writings, and other items of interest.  The museum is open to the public from March to December, and sends out monthly email updates and a biannual newsletter, "A Message from the Meadows" that you can subscribe to.

Find more information about Emily's life, education, and influences at poetryfoundation.org. 

Emily wrote well over 1,000 poems during her lifetime; you can read 281 of them at Read book online, the website mentioned in yesterday's blog post. 

Emily Dickinson's works live on, and have secured her place in American literature.

Catherine

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Monday Memory--Emily Dickinson was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Sunday Spotlight--Short Stories

Here's some good news for short story fans, readers pressed for time during the holidays, and others who'd like to sample the works of authors without committing to a novel: a website with full text short stories from well known (and not so well known) authors that can be read online. Read book online has short stories by James Baldwin, L. Frank Baum, Lewis Carrol, Willa Cather, Edna Ferber, O Henry, James Joyce, Mark Twain, Jules Verne, Kurt Vonnegut, H.G. Wells, Edith Wharton, Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and many others.  The website can be searched alphabetically by author or title.

And, if you have more time, view the selections in the novels, poems, essays, and nonfiction sections of the Read book online  website for more choices.  There are also lists of available greatest novels of the 20th century, Nobel Prize winners, and Pulitzer Prize winners.

Next time you find yourself caught in a long line while holiday shopping, pull up a short story on your smart phone or tablet to help pass the time.

Catherine

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Sunday Spotlight--Short Stories was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Saturday Shorts--Quote of the Day

 

"A house without books is like a room without windows."

--Heinrich Mann

Catherine

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Saturday Shorts--Quote of the Day was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Fridays Finds--Library Visits

Recently I spent a few weeks in Ireland and had the chance to revisit a favorite spot on the Trinity College campus.  In Dublin's city centre sits the Old Library, also known as The Long Room, which most tourists happen upon after visiting the Book of Kells. 

The Long Room contains hundreds of thousands of Trinity College Library's oldest books and other treasures housed in two-story floor to ceiling bookshelves.  Marble busts sit at the end of each bookcase like sentinels, giving the room a scholarly and historical feel.  Circular staircases between the floors add to the architectural beauty.  The room is stunning, as you can see from the photo below.

The Long Room, Trinity College, Dublin.  Photo Source:  www.tcd.ie

For me, no trip to Dublin is complete without visiting this cultural space.  I am drawn to its beauty time and time again.  Learn more about The Long Room via this link:  Trinity College Library

Catherine

Follow me on Twitter: @bookclubreader

Friday Finds--Library Visits was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Thursday Thoughts--A Different Kind of Book List

                              
With the year winding down, I thought I might post a best books of 2012 list today. Such lists are easy enough to find.  But then I stumbled upon a more interesting type of list to share instead.  Book publishing website GalleyCat has gathered a collection of what it considers some of the most overlooked books of 2012, together with free samples of each book.

Here's the overlooked book list. 

Enjoy!

Catherine

Follow me on Twitter: @bookclubreader

Thursday Thoughts--A Different Kind of Book List was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Waiting on Wednesday--Seduction

The Waiting on Wednesday concept is a weekly feature of the Breaking the Spine blog.  It's a great way to highlight a forthcoming title that I am (not so) patiently waiting for.

This week's anticipated book is:  

                                                  Seduction: A Novel of Suspense by M.J. Rose

Publication Date:  May 7, 2013
Publisher:  Atria Books
Preorder now from online and bricks and mortar bookstores

Overview from barnesandnoble.com:

From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost journal of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening a mystery that spans centuries.

In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus—and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed.

Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey—where Hugo conducted the séances—hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different—Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher.

What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.

My thoughts:  M.J. Rose is a talented storyteller who masterfully weaves rich, fascinating historical research into inventive plots that transport readers into thrilling adventures.  I loved The Book of Lost Fragrances and look forward to immersing myself in another M.J. Rose novel.

Catherine

Follow me on Twitter: @bookclubreader

Waiting on Wednesday--Seduction was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Gift Books for Children

                                                   
Have you started your holiday shopping yet?  If you have any children on your gift list, it can be difficult to select the correct size and style of clothing or the most popular toy.  Books are a great choice for kids because they bring hours of entertainment and foster a lifelong love of reading.  And take note, last minute shoppers: stores display them in a well-defined area and books are easy to gift wrap!

Here are a few lists of suggested titles:

From New York City's Books of Wonder

From Brooklyn's Greenlight Bookstore

From The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal

Give a book!

Catherine

Follow me on Twitter: @bookclubreader

Gift Books for Children was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Thrilling Reads

                                   

Do you enjoy reading thrillers?  If you do, there's a free monthly webzine called The Big Thrill that you should check out.  Each issue delivered to your email inbox features news and information about recently released thrillers in print and electronic format, comprehensive articles, and author interviews.  There's also an opportunity to win signed copies of first edition books.

But don't let the name mislead you.  Under the latest books banner on The Big Thrill website, you will find news and details about books in other genres:  romantic suspense, paranormal, crime fiction, horror, mystery, cozy mystery, young adult, true crime, nonfiction, and anthology.

The current webzine issue was recently posted.  You can view it and sign up for automatic delivery of future issues by clicking this link: The Big Thrill December issue

Catherine

Follow me on Twitter: @bookclubreader

Thrilling Reads was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.
 

Sunday Spotlight--NYS Writers Hall of Fame

Two years ago, New York State created special ways to recognize and honor the talented cadre of writers with New York connections.  Thus, in April 2010, the Empire State Book Festival was born; and in collaboration with the Empire State Center for the Book, the New York State Writers Hall of Fame was established.  The book festival and hall of fame inductions have become popular annual celebrations in the state capital of Albany.

The Hall of Fame members are a veritable who's who of the literary world.  The 2012 group includes living authors Toni Morrison, Joyce Carol Oates, Pete Hamill, and E.L. Doctorow, as well as deceased writers Kurt Vonnegut, Richard Wright, Edna Ferber, Henry James, Mary McCarthy, Marianne Moore, John Cheever, Washington Irving, Barbara Tuchman, and Hart Crane.  Madeleine L'Engle, who was mentioned in my November 29 blog post, is a 2011 inductee.

These hall of famers are a wonderful representation of New York's rich literary history.  The lists of inaugural 2010 inductees and the class of 2011 are accessible via this link:  NYS Writers Hall of Fame Members

How many of these authors are you familiar with?

Catherine

Follow me on Twitter: @bookclubreader

Sunday Spotlight--NYS Writers Hall of Fame was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Saturday Short--Quote of the Day

"Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)

See this and more quotes on The Quotations Page

Catherine

Follow me on Twitter: @bookclubreader

Saturday Shorts--Quote of the Day was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com.  This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Happy Birthday, Mark Twain, Literary Giant

  Image Source: Vassar College Archives via flikr.com

Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens),  American storyteller extraordinaire, was born on this date in Missouri in 1835. Twain's name is synonymous with the town of Hannibal and the Mississippi River, which he chronicled, as well as with Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and the many other beloved characters he created over the course of his writing career.  Although his literary accomplishments need little to no introduction, you can read more about his interesting life and career at this link: Twain biography.

In addition to tackling the moral issues of the day, Twain is well known for his legendary wit, which has been immortalized in his many quotes.  I have always been amused by his words upon hearing that his obituary had been published in a New York Journal:  "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."  Several of his humorous quotes are available from The Quotations Page.  I highly recommend reading his musings on topics including banks, humility, Americans, courage, adversity, and duty whenever you are in need of a chuckle or mood lifter.

Catherine

Follow me on Twitter: @bookclubreader

Happy Birthday, Mark Twain, Literary Giant was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.

Thursday's Notable Authors

Among the famous people born on this date are three notable authors whose classical works continue to be discovered and enjoyed by readers of all ages:

Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1832, and is best known for her 1868 novel, Little Women.  I can still recall the thrill of reading this as a young girl, totally immersing myself in the lives of Jo, Meg, and Amy. 


C.S. (Clive Staples) Lewis was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1898, and is best known for his beloved fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia, which began with the 1950 publication of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Madeleine L'Engle was born in New York City in 1918, and is best known for her science fiction novel, A Wrinkle in Time, which was published in 1963 and won a Newbery Medal from the American Library Association's Association for Library Service to Children.


Image Source: amazon.com 

The imaginative themes of these works transport readers into wondrous new worlds.  I invite you to discover...rediscover...or share...a classic this holiday season.

Catherine

Follow me on Twitter: @bookclubreader

Thursday's Notable Authors was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.blogspot.com. This post cannot be republished without express written consent.