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What Our Staff is Reading
The following are fiction and non-fiction titles that have been read and recommended by members of our staff. The initials or pen name of the contributing staff member are noted after each review. The titles may include award winners, not-so-recent bestsellers or a new look at the classics.
March 2008
The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta
Fiction 2007
Tom Perrotta's take on today's culture wars is sharp, funny and compassionate. Ruth Ramsay is a sex education teacher in a wealthy suburb where students seem more interested in getting into a good college than getting into the kingdom of heaven. Her daughter's soccer coach, Tim Mason, is a former addict and rock musician grateful for the fresh start his new life at The Tabernacle offers. The chain of events that are unleashed when Tim holds a spontaneous prayer session at the girl's game play out in ways no one could imagine.
Reviewed by A. Reader
Almost Home by Jessica Blank
Fiction 2007
A heartbreaking story of 7 kids living on the street. The characters' lives intertwine as they search for food, shelter, and sometimes drugs. We learn about each of their hard-luck stories and how they try to find some comfort on the streets of LA.
Reviewed by BDW
Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search For the Happiest PLaces in the World by Eric Weiner
Nonfiction 2008
Part travelogue, part self help, part science, this book is a totally witty and insightful look at where to find happiness. The author's conclusions, while not unpredictable, are presented in such a way as to appear fresh. A book to read and to share.
Reviewed by Minerva
Mr. Jefferson's Women by Jon Kukla
Nonfiction 2007
Everyone has heard about Thomas Jefferson's slave, Sally Hemings, but there were many other women with whom the author of the Declaration of Independence had relationships. Fast reading, yet scholarly, this book shows how Jefferson's personal attitudes towards these women generally became the official policy of the new American government.
Reviewed by Jack
Sentences (The Life of M.F. Grimm) by Percy Carey
Nonfiction Graphic Novel 2007
Carey (a.k.a. M.F. Grimm) tells the story of his New York City upbringing that included a stint on "Sesame Street", as a high schooler at the birth of hip hop, and as a ghost writer for major rap acts . A shooting changes Carey physically but his rough and tumble spirit carries him through. A hard hitting graphic novel with excellent illustrations.
Reviewed by Barbara G.
She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan
Nonfiction 2003
Having seen the newspaper review for the sequel I figured I'd give them both a try - and am I glad I did! Never have I read more touching and thought-provoking stories of love, family and friendship. The author tells, with honesty and humor, the transformation taken from male to female and how the decision impacted all those in the wake. These two books challenge you to look inward into the character of those around you and into your own character as well. Sequel -- I'm Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted, 2008.
Reviewed by sjc
The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver
Fiction 2007
Special Agent Kathryn Dance leads the hunt for Daniel Pell, convicted years earlier for the Manson-like murders of a wealthy family. Dance, a specialist in interrogation and kinesics (or body language ) is a great new protagonist in this fast paced thriller of many unexpected twists and turns.
Reviewed by Lucy