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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
smartchick.nina has commented on (21) products
Love Is A Mix Tape Life & Loss One Song
by
Rob Sheffield
smartchick.nina
, November 11, 2012
As an experienced music writer. Rob Sheffield brings his vast wealth of music knowledge and his love for the subject to narrating an exquisite reminder of what it means to live. Funny, smart, profound but never boring, Sheffield narrates his own story of love, life and loss using music as both a constant background as well as a guide. I loved this book. It made me laugh, made me cry, made me think and made me appreciate the people and the music in my life just a bit more.
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Tiger Lily
by
Jodi Lynn Anderson
smartchick.nina
, September 17, 2012
Growing up, I loved the classic book Peter Pan... so when I saw this novel based on J.M. Barrie's magical world, I had to read it. Tiger Lily is the tale of Peter Pan, re-imagined from Tiger Lily's point of view (although Tinker Bell is the narrator). This Neverland intrigued me, and I loved it -- this is a Neverland full of darkness and death, but at the same time, hope and love. Anderson weaves in deeper topics throughout this whole story, such as love, jealousy, exclusion, alcoholism and most of all death, creating a world that is both fantastical yet movingly human and real.
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Jane Austen Education How Six Novels Taught Me About Love Friendship & the Things That Really Matter
by
William Deresiewicz
smartchick.nina
, August 16, 2012
Like Deresiewicz, I'd never been particularly attracted to Jane Austen. Although I'd long idolized Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice, all her other novels (Emma! Mansfield Park!) seemed unbearable. But after reading this, I've gone back to my Austens with new eyes. Deresiewicz shows us masterfully how Austen's works helped teach him valuable life lessons, in a style that isn't preachy but approachable and always with a dash of self-deprecating humor. I finished this book with a smile on my face and new insights into life and Jane Austen! I loved it!
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Poetry 180 A Turning Back to Poetry
by
Billy Collins
smartchick.nina
, August 04, 2012
Fantastic anthology. Tons of new poets that I fell in love with, and all the poems are really accessible -- but don't think "accessible" means "silly" or "childish" -- all these poems are fabulous on their own. It's the perfect book to introduce a new reader to poetry or for someone who is wary of poetry. My personal favorites include "To You" by Kenneth Koch, "Cartoon Physics, Part I" by Nick Flynn, and many more.
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Best American Short Stories 2010
by
Pitlor, Heidi
smartchick.nina
, May 28, 2012
An amazing anthology. Most of short stories in here are spectacular. My favorite is Delicate Edible Birds by Lauren Groff, which I found to be absolutely breathtaking, beautiful, technically dazzling and held me from the first sentence. The Cowboy Tango by Maggie Shipstead is marvelous-- the characters, the landscape, the feeling, the writing. P.S. by Jill McCorkle, in the form of a letter from a woman to her ex-therapist is one of the lightest stories of the book, but still packs a punch and absolutely delighted me. Safari by Jennifer Egan is an excerpt from her novel A Visit From the Goon Squad, but nevertheless feels complete in itself. I'd highly encourage everyone to go buy this. It's very character and narrative driven, and wonderful.
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The Shadow of the Wind
by
Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Lucia Graves
smartchick.nina
, April 26, 2012
This is a beautiful book. It grabs you in with its sweeping, beautiful language and its poetic story... I was spellbound by both the historic yet mythical-feeling city that Zafon writes about with such passion as well as the passion for language and between the characters that exists in its pages. You will stay up nights caught in this tale... it beautifully tangles the lives of the characters into a web of old-fashioned mystery, darkness, beauty and poetry.
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Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide
by
Kristof, Nicholas D. and Wudunn, Sheryl
smartchick.nina
, February 09, 2012
Few books have inspired me and educated me the way this book did! Offering a true, heartbreaking and at the same time heartwarming perspective of gender issues and oppression worldwide, I couldn't put it down. Although it recalls true stories of terrible violence, frustrating and stifling limitations imposed on women (including sex slavery, fistulas, lack of maternal health) it also offers ways this can be changed. I finished it with a passionate desire to change and an understanding of how changing women's issues will positively affect so much else in the world. This book is well written, well researched and I think it'll really strike a chord with you no matter who you are!
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Poetry Speaks Who I Am
by
Elise Paschen
smartchick.nina
, September 29, 2011
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this anthology! As a teen, I identified with so many of these poems, discovered new favorites and re-discovered old poems I'd remembered from the past. Not to worry, even though this anthology is meant for youth, it is a great quality for all ages nonetheless. I fell in love with nearly every single poem on every page, and now have dozens of new poets to discover and new poems to memorize!
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Divergent 01
by
Roth, Veronica
smartchick.nina
, September 29, 2011
A fast and thrilling read, it kept me turning the pages, but after I was done, I felt strangely unsatisfied. While it's great for a fun story and reminiscent of the Hunger Games, the gaps in logic and the world of "Divergent" never seem fully fleshed out, and the premise - different factions based on virtues - didn't hold water the more I thought about it. Humans exhibit many different emotions and virtues; why would Tris be the only one to possess more than one? It entertained for a short while, but I have no desire to read a sequel.
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In the Time of the Butterflies
by
Julia Alvarez
smartchick.nina
, September 29, 2011
I had to read this book for class, and was surprised to find how much I liked it. Julia Alvarez writes poetically, giving each of the four Mirabal sisters their own unique voice and vision. She never writes anything that feels false or contrived, nor does she place the girls on an untouchable pedestal. I felt like I knew these four women once I was done. Alvarez writes about women, about strength and courage, about freedom and its cost.
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Divergent 01
by
Roth, Veronica
smartchick.nina
, September 02, 2011
Loved this... in some ways, very similar to the Hunger Games in "storyline" but actually very different. Instead of questioning government (like Hunger Games) it questions human values that we prize and the balance of them. I loved this and tore through it so quickly... Tris is such a likeable narrator and I'm already excited for the next one!
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Best Loved Poems Of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
by
Caroline Kennedy
smartchick.nina
, August 24, 2011
Loved this anthology. The diversity of the collection is great, and I fell in love with many of these and it was easy because of the format (divided by theme). Least favorite part: poems written by Jackie Kennedy... I didn't read this for the First Lady, but found that the actual poetry is a good collection. So even if you don't really find yourself interested in the First Lady (which I was after reading this anthology) you may still love the poetry anyway.
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Antsy Bonano 01 The Schwa Was Here
by
Neil Shusterman
smartchick.nina
, March 31, 2011
So funny, with great voice and humor but at the same time, full of depth and metaphor. If you have ever felt invisible or underappreciated...or if you just are in the mood for some wiseass humor this is for you.
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A Knight's Tale: The Shooting Script
by
Brian Helgeland
smartchick.nina
, February 23, 2011
I love love love this movie. It's one of my favorites... mixing whimsy with excitement and an extremely well-written story. The language of the characters mirrors that of old England... some of the dialogue in the scenes sounds like poetry (read William's love letter to Jocelyn or any one of Chaucer's introductions).
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Someone Like You
by
Sarah Dessen
smartchick.nina
, February 23, 2011
I really identified with this book. Halley's struggles with trying to find her place despite her overprotective mom-- they reminded me of the conflicts I have with my own mother (being a teenager as well.) A great introduction to a great author-- Sarah Dessen. It seems so realistic and true-to-life that you completely understand Halley's frustrations and fears.
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I Capture the Castle
by
Dodie Smith
smartchick.nina
, February 05, 2011
This book was so much fun! It's so picturesque and beautiful, and the way it's written: through Cassandra's diary entries: is so honest that you feel like she's a real person. The story is a real romance but also a coming of age. (I've read Nicholas Sparks and I can tell you that this is a million times better.) With echoes of Austen and Brontë but more character and personality, this is going to be one of your favorites. It's one of mine!
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Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by
Betty Smith
smartchick.nina
, February 05, 2011
This book may seem a little slow, but that's only because it reflects the way life moves. Some of the parts of the story were so strong that I wanted to cry... Maybe it's because I felt a real connection with Francie, the way she sometimes felt out of place, how she sometimes felt lonely, the way she experienced times of happiness and joy and also sorrow, the way she loved books, the way she wanted something more.
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To Kill a Mockingbird
by
Lee, Harper
smartchick.nina
, February 05, 2011
I love this book. I really do. It touches so many important issues, love, social justice, innocence-- although at first when I started this (for school) I thought it was gonna be really dry, it was really amazing. I couldn't stop. If you're going to ever read one American novel, this could be the one you should pick.
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(3 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
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Along For The Ride
by
Sarah Dessen
smartchick.nina
, February 01, 2011
When I first picked this book up, with its mostly-pink cover and cute font, I was wary at first of another superficial teen romance. But when I read it, I was really surprised. More than just a book for girls, Sarah Dessen fleshed out the characters so that I loved them. I understood Auden and felt the struggles of her story. The metaphors of the book were fresh and new. I loved this book... it was like a refreshing drink of water in a world too-altogether populated with shallow teen fiction.
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Life of Pi
by
Yann Martel
smartchick.nina
, February 01, 2011
This book was amazing. The story is exciting, about survival and a life-or-death situation, but it really is about much more. Pi's views on religion and on life were eye-opening and wonderful. The story pulled me in with its suspense and then its philosophy made me think. The story is filled with metaphor, but also filled with color and life and creativity. I've already read it many times again and again. A good book changes you, and this book changed me.
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(4 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
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The Art of Racing in the Rain
by
Garth Stein
smartchick.nina
, January 02, 2011
This book was amazing! It told through the eyes of Enzo, a very introspective dog who believes that at death, dogs are reincarnated as humans. He struggles to aid and protect his owner, Denny, an up-and-coming racecar driver and Denny's daughter. Yet Enzo is hindered by his helplessness as a dog. Through the eyes of a dog, Enzo tells of very profound and witty truths about humans. The metaphor of racing is constantly woven throughout the book. Despite the fact that the book is told through the ideas of a thinking dog, it is far from fantasy. It is a story about life... about love, protection, family and hope.
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