GOOD READS
Beyond Best-Sellers: What B&ECPL Staff Recommend
The following were recently published titles which were read and recommended by members of our staff in the month indicated. The initials or pen name of the contributing staff member are noted after each review. Click here for more current recommendations.
November 2003
We
Need To Talk About Kevin Lionel Shriver
Fiction
Through letters to her estranged husband, a mother chronicles her son's life
in an attempt to come to terms with his Columbine-type crime. Telling it with
stark honesty, she lets us know all the characters involved while the letter
format leads to surprise after surprise. A well-told story that goes to the
heart of parenthood.
Reviewed by sjc
Paper
Mage Leah Cutter
Fiction
A fantasy tale set in 8th century China. Xiao Yen is a young girl learning
to perform magic with the ancient art of folding paper. She begins an adventure
protecting two foreigners on their journey and ends up helping a goddess in
her fight to destroy an evil warlord. This is a coming-of-age story that plays
with the ideas of magic and religion, family and duty, destiny, luck, and the
proper role of a woman.
Reviewed by JME
Autobiography
of a Geisha Sayo Masuda
Non-Fiction
A deeply affecting autobiography of a "hot springs resort" geisha
girl born into abject poverty and sold into a life of sexual slavery. Motivated
by love for her long lost brother, Masudo claws her way out of the geisha world,
alcoholism and nihilism. This story is a testament to the transforming power
of love.
Reviewed by PM
Behind
Bars: The Straight-Up Tales of a Big-City Bartender Ty Wenzel
Non-Fiction
Delivered with courage and veracity, this memoir offers outrageous tales, little
trade secrets, and witty commentary on bar culture and the human condition.
Set at a special time in New York City’s Bowery during it's renaissance
in the 90's, this book is for anyone who has ever been on either side of the
cocktail bar.
Reviewed by JSC
Desperation Clifford
Fazzolari
Fiction
In reading all of this author's works, this book is by far his best effort.
Fazzolari is a local author whose previous works are likened to Nicholas Sparks.
This particular work will make you wonder what type of a world we live in.
Give this one a chance.
Reviewed by Lauren Jeffrey
|