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.
October 2004
Oracle Night by Paul Auster
Fiction
Oracle Night traces the protagonist on an interesting journey after he purchases a notebook from a strange stationery store in NYC. Auster's books tend not only to be fantastic stories but also to explore themes of randomness and chance in the universe. His characters are, as always, very well written and this book will keep you entertained from the beginning to the end.
Reviewed by swg
Point of Honour by Madeleine Robins
Fiction
Sarah Tolerance has few options in Regency society after becoming a “fallen women” by eloping with her brother's fencing tutor. She opts to become an “agent of inquiry” and support herself with commissions from investigations of a sensitive nature. The plot twists and turns involving hidden family secrets with political implications and other “fallen women” of the more traditional sort. Her character is engaging and the language evocative – very entertaining for historical mystery fans.
Reviewed by pe
Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende
Non-Fiction
Thought provoking study of life in a "minimites" community. Brende and his new wife commit to living for 18 months in a community that functions with no modern technology. Their experiences and what they discover about the theory of convenience make for wonderful reading.
Reviewed by BDW
The Philosopher's Kitchen: Ancient Greek and Roman Recipes for the Modern Cook by Francine Segan
Non-Fiction
Recipes, taken from a Fifth Century AD cookbook and adapted to ingredients available in most North American supermarkets, provide delicious and wholesome fare. Purists find the original recipes also detailed. Fun facts about ancient philosophers and statesmen, whose kitchens produced the original dishes, entertain and enlighten.
Reviewed by sk-h
Great Tales from English History by Robert Lacey
Non-Fiction
Was Lady Godiva naked and how did Richard the Lionheart get his name? From Cheddar Man (c.7150 BC) to the "Mad Multitude" (AD 1381), Robert Lacey tells their stories. The truths, myths and legends of early England are brought to life in this book.
Reviewed by DJS
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