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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.
June 2008
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
Nonfiction 2007
Barbara and her family decide to grow as much of their own food as possible for a year and buy the rest locally. A family memoir with gardening advice, recipes and environmentalism.
Reviewed by KLS
Finn by Jon Clinch
Fiction 2007
In a gutsy move, Jon Clinch writes his first novel, as a spin-off of Huckleberry Finn. He conjures back stories of Huck's parents and grandparents, with appearances of other characters from the original. Even if you've never read the classic, this story makes for a really good read.
Reviewed by SJC
The Genius by Jesse Kellerman
Fiction 2008
Faye and Jonathan Kellerman must be so proud! Their son, Jesse, has written a riveting novel about a young art dealer who discovers some disturbingly beautiful art work, done by an artist who is nowhere to be found. The past and present of both characters weave together into a great read!
Reviewed by SJC
The Rich Part of Life by Jim Kokoris
Fiction 2001
Featuring a diverse cast of characters, this book is a delightful read, refreshing in its characterization. The narrator is an 11-year-old boy named Teddy Pappas whose family holds a $190 million dollar winning lottery ticket. As events spiral out of the control from this one event, the family comes together to realize 'the rich part of life'. This book makes you laugh out loud and you fall in love with the eccentric characters that are in Teddy's life.
Reviewed by Kristi
Single Wife by Nina Solomon
Fiction 2003
The disappearance of Grace's husband, Laz, was a mystery. Unable to cope with his absence, Grace pretended he was still at home, deceiving herself and everyone around her. Then the mystery started to unravel, along with her crochet project, her life, and her lies. Grace discovered that she was the one who had really been lost. This is the story of loneliness, loss, self-deception, and ultimately, grace.
Reviewed by AP.