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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
awisehart has commented on (13) products
The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying
by
Nina Riggs
awisehart
, September 23, 2017
This is a beautiful, moving, and heartbreaking memoir. Nina Riggs wrote honestly and eloquently about her experience with terminal illness, losing her mother, and her family life. There are so many moments of joy and humor throughout this book, and of course moments of deep sorrow as well. I loved this book.
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Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy
by
Sheryl Sandberg, Adam Grant
awisehart
, May 03, 2017
This is a lovely, heartfelt book about grief, resilience, and finding meaning in life (and death). This book really resonated with me and I applaud Sheryl Sandberg for her openness about such an important topic.
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There Is No Good Card for This: What To Say and Do When Life Is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love
by
Kelsey Crowe, Emily McDowell
awisehart
, April 21, 2017
This is a very thoughtful, accessible book about how to be supportive when someone you love is going through a tough time. There are lots of practical tips, advice on what to say, and lovely illustrations throughout that make this a quick yet immensely helpful read. The authors take a forgiving approach - don't worry too much about saying exactly the right thing, but make an effort, and don't make assumptions about what the person is feeling. Highly recommended!
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What Is Visible
by
Kimberly Elkins
awisehart
, November 21, 2014
This historical fiction novel is a delight. It tells the story of Laura Bridgman, a blind and deaf woman in the nineteenth century who learned language well before the more famous Helen Keller. It's peopled by a colorful cast of historical characters, including Laura's teacher Samuel Gridley Howe, his wife Julia Ward Howe, and many others. Elkins explores Laura's interior world with sensitivity and depth. This book is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a mostly forgotten historical figure. Highly recommended!
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San Miguel
by
T Coraghessan Boyle
awisehart
, October 03, 2012
This is a beautifully written novel told from the point of view of three women living on San Miguel island off the coast of California at different times over the course of 60 years. While the stories are a bit disjointed - each could have been a separate novel or novella - the characters are complex and compelling. Boyle's descriptions of the island are vivid, and the setting integrates beautifully into the narrative of the story. A thoroughly transporting, enjoyable read!
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The End of the Long Summer: Why We Must Remake Our Civilization to Survive on a Volatile Earth
by
Dianne Dumanoski
awisehart
, September 17, 2012
This is a beautifully written, important book that I wish lots of people would read. Dumanoski makes a compelling case for the inherent unpredictability of climate change, and the imperative for resilience and adaptability in our response to it. While she does not lay out a specific action plan - intentionally, as her point is that we must be prepared for any number of future climate change scenarios - I found her vision to be both challenging and hopeful. Highly recommended!
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Going Solo The Extraordinary Rise & Surprising Appeal of Living Alone
by
Eric Klinenberg
awisehart
, March 31, 2012
I found this book to be very readable and engaging. It's an interesting, careful examination of the rise of solo living in the U.S. Klinenberg takes a very balanced approach and resists easy conclusions. People who live alone aren't necessarily more lonely or socially isolated, though there are challenges, particularly as people age alone. Klinenberg considers the benefits as well as the challenges for individuals and society as more and more people make the choice to live alone. Highly recommended!
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Peak Everything Waking Up to the Century of Declines
by
Richard Heinberg
awisehart
, May 23, 2010
This book is very readable and informative. Heinberg tackles a scary subject - the imminent decline of oil and other fuel reserves in our lifetime, climate change, and the resulting huge shifts that will almost certainly occur in our society and lifestyles - in a way that makes the problem seem understandable, if daunting. He outlines both the problem and some potential (though uncertain) ways to confront the crisis in a series of linked essays. This book is at once fascinating, frightening, and inspiring. Highly recommended!
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Sula
by
Toni Morrison
awisehart
, December 16, 2009
This is a very powerful novel, with richly imagined, complex characters; a compelling and nuanced story of a friendship. Morrison explores heavy themes of racism and sexism in ways that are never cliche or overly simplified. Definitely recommended!
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(5 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
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Mudbound
by
Hillary Jordan
awisehart
, June 05, 2008
This is a compelling, engrossing novel about life in 1940s rural Mississippi. It was hard to put down. The characters are vivid and complex, well drawn. The story is told from the point of view of six different characters, and for this reason the narration is occasionally choppy, but it's well developed. A beautifully written story about prejudice. Hillary Jordan digs deeply into the lives of her characters, taking an unflinching and complex approach.
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(19 of 34 readers found this comment helpful)
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Country Under My Skin A Memoir of Love & War
by
Gioconda Belli
awisehart
, May 11, 2008
A beautifully written, compelling memoir about Gioconda Belli's experiences during the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, and its aftermath. This is a poetic and moving narrative, and a portrait of a strong woman and committed activist.
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(6 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
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Away
by
Amy Bloom
awisehart
, December 26, 2007
A lyrical, beautifully written epic novel that brings to life the immigrant experience in America in the 1920s. I was captivated and transported by this novel and its vibrant, compelling heroine.
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(11 of 24 readers found this comment helpful)
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Animal Vegetable Miracle A Year of Food Life
by
Barbara Kingsolver
awisehart
, December 16, 2007
Infused with sharp wit and a conversational style, this is the story of one family's quest to live small - growing their own food, buying the rest from almost exclusively local sources. Immensely readable, funny, inspiring, and rarely preachy, this is a book about re-connecting with where our food comes from, and making responsible, conscious choices. Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite writers, and this book does not disappoint. Rather than portraying this journey as a deprivation, she conveys a sense of adventure and pleasure in food - growing it, preparing it, and eating it. Quite a feat these days, when convenience, pre-packaged foods are the norm.
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(30 of 55 readers found this comment helpful)
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