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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
Jorge has commented on (17) products
Nixonland The Rise of a President & the Fracturing of America
by
Rick Perlstein
Jorge
, April 17, 2009
Nixonland is Rick Perlstein's follow-up to "Before the Storm", which focused largely on Barry Goldwater's 1964 campaign. Though I preferred Perlstein's earlier book this one is pretty damn good. I was born in the 1980s and thus have no first-hand knowledge of what was going on in the 60s and early 70s. Perlstein does a very good job at drawing a vivid portrait of the state of the union at that period. After reading this book, I felt like I had learned a thing or two about why things happened the way they did--why the backlash against civil rights came about, why conservatism reemerged as it did after Goldwater's disastrous campaign, why Nixon managed to become so popular and how he helped define the political landscape. The book doesn't quite manage the cohesion of its predecessor, though Nixonland manages to paint an accurate and messy picture of America during the Nixon era. It's quite readable, and the detail on display here is impressive.
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The Life Stories of Undistinguished Americans as Told by Themselves: Expanded Edition
by
Werner Sollors
Jorge
, April 16, 2009
If you are one of those people who has your buttons pushed more than you'd care to....this book is for you. If you thought you'd handled your "stuff" because you've talked about it for years, yet - it's still there.....this book is for you. If you're tired of dealing with it...this book is for you. The tail no longer needs to wag the dog. Dr. Judith Orloff helps us understand how important it is to deal with all of our emotions. No need to ignore them or label them good or bad - just a need to acknowledge them and use them as tools of incredible transformation. Tools that will awaken our intuitive powers if only we pay attention. Because she shares her own journey so willingly, you'll realize how common our deepest fears and worries are. And, you'll benefit from the numerous practices throughout the book that will help you listen to yourself, feel what's really going on, and open your heart.
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Ted Kennedy Scenes From An Epic Life
by
Boston Globe
Jorge
, April 16, 2009
I was amazed that the review count was so low until I noticed that the people who actually had read it gave it high marks while those who gave it one star chose to attack the subject. The high reviewers did a much better job than I ever could at detailing the highs and lows of the life of Ted Kennedy as detailed in the book. What was amazing to me was how the accounts of Kennedy's life corresponded with what I remember as it happened (yes, I am that old that I remember it all). I would like to note that the one-star reviewer who said it was a sad title rip off missed the very beginning that explains the title. I don't know how they missed it if they read the book. Anyway, it was a quote by John McCain: "I've described Ted Kennedy as the last lion of the Senate...He remains the single most effective member of the Senate if you want to get results." I hope the book does well on the charts as it is highly readable and thorough and it doesn't try to make the failings or triumphs of Kennedy any more or less than they actually were or still are.
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Mommywood
by
Tori Spelling
Jorge
, April 15, 2009
I haven't put it down until now that I've finished it. The shot on the cover is great- very 1950's June Cleaver- okay, but on to the important stuff. It was a great read. I think there are going to be alot of people who bash this book because they don't like Tori but I don't know that much about her(well, didn't before reading this). I found her writing(or her co-writer's) to be relaxed and funny. She is very honest. I loved how she wrote about seeing her baby on the ultrasound and was wondering if he was going to have an abnormally large nose then how she worried if she was being too superficial or not! Loved how she talked about her sex life after having kids and I can really relate to the morning rituals with the kids in bed and the changes pre to post kids(i.e. no more lounging in bed on weekends until all hours). I am a father of two and know it is difficult to be a parent; to be a mom with the press following your every move and being in the public eye with everyone having preconceived notions about you and your family... whew! Especially difficult! Still, I got the sense that the mommies of Mommywood don't have to deal with all the minutia that we regular old parents have to deal with. I think this is a very interesting glimpse into the world of celebrity moms. I don't think every word Tori(or her co-writer) wrote was meant to be serious- definately some tongue-in-cheek moments. And sorry, the voyeuristic side of me loved reading this. I think it comes down to this: if you are a fan of Tori Spelling, you will enjoy this glimpse into her personal life. If you aren't, don't byuy the book. If you have no opinion, it is a quick, easy read with some good laughs and touches on the issues that so many of us have: wanting what is best for our kids, no matter what our circumstances. I enjoyed it but I had no bias toward Tori to begin with so take it as you will...
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Last Night
by
Hyewon Yum
Jorge
, April 15, 2009
This picture book is about a little girl who's unhappy about her dinner and is sent to her room where she falls asleep. Her stuffed bear takes her on an unforgettable journey, where she meets new friends and learns the difficulties of being away from home. Upon awakening from her dream, she realizes her mom, and her dinner, were not that bad after all. Though the artwork could have been a little more kid-friendly, its moral lesson is clear. This is a great book for children not quite able to read, but eager to pick up a book. They will also be able to use their imagination and put it in their own dialogue.
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Drawing Near a Life of Intimacy with God
by
John Bevere
Jorge
, April 14, 2009
Our pastor recommended this book to our congregation, in preparation for going through the 12 week DVD series that accompanies the book. I can't begin to tell you how it opens you up to a whole new level of intimacy with God. You actally begin to pursue a relationship with the Creator rather than the created things we are so easily distracted by. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is serious about taking your relationship to a level like that of Abraham, Enoch, Moses, David . . . those who walk with God, and whom God calls friend.
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Legend of Sigurd & Gudrun
by
J.R.R. Tolkien
Jorge
, April 13, 2009
I have rated this book without even reading it yet. I am so excited about this book being released. I have read almost everything Tolkien has written. I have tried several other authors, but none have had his ability to make you feel that you were truly there with the characters in the story. I have preordered this book and plan on reading it the day it comes in. Thanks you for releaseing this previously unreleased work. Trust me this book will be well worth the read!
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Donkey Companion Selecting Training Breeding Enjoying & Caring for Donkeys
by
Sue Weaver
Jorge
, April 10, 2009
This book is great! I ordered it online and when it arrived I was immediately impressed with the quality of the book and the illustrations. When I sat down to read it, I was thrilled. The book is easy to read despite being an in depth manual for donkey owners. It is full of great information that is well organized and will serve as a great reference book. Sue Weaver writes with a conversational tone that shows that she truly loves these animals. She draws on her lifetime of experience with donkeys to make you fall in love with them too. I don't have a donkey yet, but I MUST get one!
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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance-Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem
by
Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen
Jorge
, April 09, 2009
After suffering through Pride and Prejudice in a women's lit class in high school, being one of the three males in the class, and undergoing much embarrassment for my lack of understanding of the subject matter, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is bittersweet redemption. It was very nice while reading this to feel as though I am exacting revenge on Jane Austen's literary masterpiece by not only understanding the work but also enjoying a pseudo-perverse amalgamation of her work and a horror/comedy film. No doubt some Austen fans will cry "heresy" at what Seth Grahame-Smith has done, that is take a classic piece of literature and splice in zombie references, but I think others will accept this work as the kind of flattery that it is to Ms. Austen. Others, like myself, who were intellectually incapable of understanding the works of Jane Austen, will feel sweet vindication from enjoying her great work with a smidgen of added immaturity. There is no doubt that Grahame-Smith has accomplished something incredibly innovative with this work, possibly spawning a new literary classic remade hilarious genre, and there is also no doubt that he has done so very well. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys comedy, zombies, and classic women's literature and I never thought I would recommend anything on those terms.
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Composer Is Dead with CD
by
Lemony Snicket, Carson Ellis
Jorge
, April 08, 2009
I have been a huge Lemony Snicket fan for awhile now, and I was also a music major in college, so when I heard about this book, I was very excited. I just got the book today and have already listened to the CD three times (and it's about 30 minutes long)! Every time I have been laughing out loud so hard! Lemony Snicket's voice really adds to the story, and the music is very fun. (I especially like the trombone/percussion music.) Since the music and narration add so much, I don't know if I'll read the story by itself very much or even read along with the CD at all because it's so good by itself. I think many people would like this book, but if you don't know instrument stereotypes or don't have a little knowledge of some composers, you might miss some of the humor. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has been in a band or orchestra or likes classical music or Lemony Snicket.
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Effective First Person Biblical Preaching The Steps from Text to Narrative Sermon
by
J Kent Edwards
Jorge
, April 06, 2009
One of many techniques available for presenting a good sermon, first-person preaching involves taking a Biblical character and presenting the gospel from their viewpoint. This can be a very powerful technique if done well. On the other hand some conservative churchgoers may have problems with a sermon where acting is an important part of it. The funny thing is that these same people will generally enjoy attending a passion play or other similar form of acting out the gospel. This book is about how to go from a text sermon to a narrative one and takes you through the process step-by-step. The author doesn't suggest that this style should be used for every sermon but provides an alternative style to add to the preaching techniques of the minister. A very instructive and useful book it makes a teaching style as well as preaching technique available to everyone. Effective First-Person Biblical Preaching is highly recommended.
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Nuclear Jellyfish
by
Tim Dorsey
Jorge
, April 05, 2009
Once again, I am laughing aloud while everyone in the house is trying to sleep. I am not sure if it's the Coleman and Serge in diapers or Coleman asking if there should be 8 MF's on the first page of Serge's new childrens book. Or the rest of the hootable laugh out loud escapades of Serge A Storms and company. Each one of these get better and better!!! A totally enjoyable and fantastic Florida ride....again and again.
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Honeymoon in Tehran
by
Azadeh Moaveni
Jorge
, April 02, 2009
This book is a truly excellent memoir. If you're looking for a memoir that details the struggles and censorship that modern Iranians (particularly women) are facing, it delivers. It is chock full of complicated patriotism, scathing social observations and balanced political commentary. But if contemporary romance is your thing, it has that too. The novel spans two years as President Ahmadinejad rises to power, and the author meets the love of her life. I won't spoil the ridiculous and creative ways in which she is oppressed and frankly harassed, but to say it isn't easy to start a family in Tehran. It's obviously well-written, as Moaveni is an accomplished journalist and author. And for me, the best parts of Azadeh Moaveni's Honeymoon in Tehran are when her journalistic approach to her tale slips, and we are treated to her voice as a woman and a mom delivering the story's most powerful moments. Highly recommended!
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Skeletons on the Zahara A Remarkable Story of Survival
by
Dean King
Jorge
, March 31, 2009
In 1815 Captain James Riley and the crew of the United States merchant ship Commerce set sail from Connecticut for Gibraltar. Two months later they were shipwrecked near Cape Bojador, off the coast of Northern Africa, captured by Sahrawi Arabs, sold into slavery and dragged eight hundred miles across the hot and hostile Sahara Desert. Along the way they were fed meager rations and pressed into hard labor as the faced barbarism, murder, starvation, dehydration, scorpions, plagues of locusts, sandstorms, hostile enemies and death. Also along the way they discovered secret oases and ancient cities as Captain Riley forged a surprising bond with a Muslim trader. They were forced to become allies in order to survive, even as Riley planed on betraying the trader in order to save his men. Dean tells a disturbing, but true tale of endureance that finally came to an end when an Arab tribal leader brought the exhausted and emaciated men to the provincial trading post of Swearah where the British paid the ransom for their freedom. This read like a pulse racing thriller. I know I couldn't put it down and I can't recommend it highly enough.
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Permaculture A Designers Manual
by
Bill Mollison
Jorge
, March 30, 2009
For those of us searching for an ecologically responsible lifestyle amid urban and suburban insanity, Bill Mollison has a real and exciting answer. This book is full of helpful advice presented in a very readable way. (The only problem might be getting stuck in the chapters on climates that don't concern you; just skip them until later!) The groundwork philosophy of permaculture is laid first, and the book moves from there to the practical business of actually designing one. The emphasis is on letting various plant and animal species work together as much as possible, to form a basically self-sustaining system from which people can reap a continual harvest, not only of food, but of interest and self-respect. What a prospect! It is certainly a very different one from what we young people have been taught to expect from life! This volume is much more complete in both the philosophy and the practice than were the original "Permaculture One" and "Permaculture Two." It is also much less focused on the Southern Hemisphere, which is helpful for North Americans trying to visualize their own permaculture. I can only hope that more people happen upon this book as I did and are themselves inspired to create a fulfilling life for themselves and their children.
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Breathers: A Zombie's Lament
by
S G Browne
Jorge
, March 19, 2009
Breathers was written to be read. Its smooth writing style allows it to be read at a fairly fast pace, and even if you have interruptions its easy to pick back up and get immersed right back into it. A trait which makes it excellent as a dark stormy night read, or a day on the beach read, even a waiting room or travel read, or just a watching the kids at the park read. The tale is so involving and the characters so engaging, I didn't want it to end. It had all the points a great book should, love, action, tear jerking moments and missing limbs. Go ahead and check this book out, you'll eat it right up. Yum!
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Lamentation Psalms Of Isaak 1
by
Ken Scholes
Jorge
, March 18, 2009
As I began this novel, I settled in for a good basic fantasy adventure, interesting characters, some battle scenes, and an epic battle between the Light and the Dark. It is that, and much more. The further I read, the better I liked it. I can feel threads of familiar cultures and familiar pieces of literature. The characters are complicated, each one containing aspects of Light and Dark. Indeed, in the first few chapters, it wasn't obvious who our heroes would be. The story begins with what might be the final battle for many stories in this genre: a city, the city which houses this civilization's library and is the center of all its knowledge and teaching, is destroyed utterly, with a horrific magic spell recreated from ages past. The leaders of the remaining regions are left to piece together what has happened, who is responsible, and what to do next. It has considerably more depth than I expected; many layers of intrigue and strategy are revealed as the novel unfolds. Intellect and education are valued, but we see it used both for good and for evil, and sometimes even for Darkness in the service of the Light. The duality and questions it raises are significant. In some ways it reminds me of Asimov's Second Foundation in structure, as not all is as it seems. Surprisingly, given the horrific genocide that starts the novel, it has a strong sense of hope that ribbons through it: that the Great Library can be rebuilt, at least partially; that the remaining peoples will find a new solidarity and a more cooperative coexistence; that while an old era has ended with unthinkable violence, a new era will be born with much promise. I kept turning the pages long past my bedtime. This is the first novel in a planned series, but it also had a strong sense of completion at the end. I look forward not only to the next installment, but also to reading this novel again.
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