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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
Susan O'Doherty has commented on (7) products
Musician's Daughter
by
Susanne Dunlap
Susan O'Doherty
, January 17, 2009
In The Musician's Daughter, Susanne Dunlap executes several difficult feats with grace and sophistication. She tells an intricate, thrilling story in language young readers can understand and follow; she portrays a strong, independent young woman who does not seem at all anachronistic in this time period; and she confronts issues of gender and social class without sounding preachy. This book is a great read, and the ending made me cry. My fourteen-year-old son, who doesn't usually like "girl stuff," was entranced, as well.
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Paula Spencer
by
Roddy Doyle
Susan O'Doherty
, August 28, 2007
I don't usually have a lot of patience with novels by men that feature a female protagonist. The Woman Who Walked Into Walls was an exception, and so is Paula Spencer. In both books, Paula is a fully realized, convincing character who is important--not in relation to a man, or her family, or an abstract principle, but in her fallible, intelligent, irreverently observant self as she feels her way back into a hopeful and connected life after a long detour into abuse and alcoholism.
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Liszts Kiss
by
Susanne Dunlap
Susan O'Doherty
, June 15, 2007
This fascinating tale of passion and intrigue set in 1830s Paris feels real and immediate while remaining true to the psychology of the period. This is a difficult task to accomplish, and Dunlap pulls it off with ease, grace, and a comprehensive understanding of both music and history which always informs and never intrudes. I had a great time with it, and came away richer and better informed.
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Camel Bookmobile
by
Masha Hamilton
Susan O'Doherty
, June 06, 2007
In The Camel Bookmobile, Masha Hamilton tackles important philosophical and cultural questions with sensitivity and grace. This book is anything but abstract, though. Librarian Fiona Sweeney; her Kenyan counterpart, Mr. Abasi; and especially the members of the Mididima tribe are complex, intelligent, passionate individuals whom we come to care about and root for, and whose fragile future assumes heartbreaking importance.
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(23 of 35 readers found this comment helpful)
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The Mystery of Edwin Drood: Introduction by Peter Washington
by
Charles Dickens
Susan O'Doherty
, May 20, 2007
Although I love Dickens, I had put off reading The Mystery of Edwin Drood because I thought it would be maddening to immerse myself an unfinished murder mystery. I should have known better. The "mystery" (which seemed pretty transparent to me, though I know there is scholarly controversy about who the real perp is) is secondary to the fascinating and memorable characters, setting, and narrative voice; the book is at times harrowing and hilarious; and although I wish, for many reasons, that Dickens could have lived to finish it, the story is satisfying as it is.
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Giving Up the Ghost: A Memoir
by
Hilary Mantel
Susan O'Doherty
, April 19, 2007
Mantel's writing is so specific and evocative I felt as though I was not just reading about her childhood, her struggles with illness and medical arrogance and neglect, and her creative work, but experiencing them. Despite the often grim subject matter, this is an uplifting book, as much a meditation on creativity as a memoir.
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The Distance Between Us
by
Hamilton, Masha
Susan O'Doherty
, April 11, 2007
This book reads like a first rate thriller--the plot is engrossing, the action fast-paced, and the writing is spare and evocative. The deeper message, about commitment and redemption, builds almost imperceptibly, so that the profoundly moving denouement feels both revelatory and inevitable.
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