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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
lupabitch has commented on (9) products
Two Billion Cars Driving Toward Sustainability
by
Daniel Sperling
lupabitch
, December 28, 2008
Worldwide, there are over one billion passenger vehicles--cars and light trucks--in use. As industrialization increases around the globe, the demand for independent transportation will increase. Unfortunately, so will the demand for oil--and the resulting pollution. While ideally we may want fewer cars on the road, the reality is that we're very possibly looking at two billion cars well before the end of the 21st century. Daniel Sperling and Deborah Gordon tackle this potential future, and offer up a solid solution that allows for economic growth, but with sustainability prioritized. They begin by laying out what technologies have been developed, and are available, such as various electric vehicles and alternative fuels. They then explore the issues surrounding why these alternatives haven't been explored to their greatest potential. For some, it's a matter of political and industry roadblocks. For others, consumers are reluctant (whether justifiably or not) to approach new technologies. Still other potential solutions are in need of refinement before they're ready for the global market. Rather than painting a completely pessimistic picture, the authors are careful to offer not only the success stories that have helped keep sustainable personal transportation from being a complete failure, but also leave us with realistic and attainable goals to work towards as individuals, as a society, and as part of a global network. While the book is somewhat academic and occasionally tends to be dry, it is still quite accessible. Additionally, the research is impeccable; the endnotes offer a great deal of additional detail as well as resources for further research. This is a book suitable for the layperson as well as the expert. As Portland and other cities face an increase in automobile traffic, straining resources as well as infrastructure, it is crucial that we educate ourselves on what options are available to us. "Two Billion Cars: Driving Toward Sustainability" is an excellent starting point for those just becoming aware of the problem of over-reliance on cars, as well as a thorough resource for activists wanting a solid foundation for their arguments. It may not match the ideals of a car-free society, but it's a good middle ground between that, and a future where cars and their pollution are left unchecked.
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Princep's Fury: Codex Alera 5
by
Jim Butcher
lupabitch
, December 04, 2008
Jim Butcher is a relative rarity--one of those authors whose writing not only maintains good quality over time, but improves with each book. In "Princeps' Fury", the fifth and penultimate book in the Codex Alera series, he continues the trend, carrying the ongoing storyline forward with great vigor. Having discovered a twist in the fate of the wolf-warrior Canim, Tavi, the next Princeps of Alera, must work to unite his people with their enemies to fight a new common threat. The Vord, a countless army of insect-like beings, have overcome much of the known world during the battle between Alerans and Canim. Worse yet, they've gained the ability to work the magic of furycrafting--and no one is sure how. With their greatest strength now matched by the oncoming Vord, will Alera be able to defend its people from complete destruction? Unlike many mid-series fantasy novels, "Princeps' Fury" is a strong story that displays great continuity, as well as deepening character development. Riding on the building action of previous books in the series, Butcher neither uses up all the potential plotlines, nor does he stretch them out to try to make them last until the next book. Instead, the result is a fast-paced yet complex read that leaves the reader waiting anxiously for the conclusion of the series. One thing in particular that I appreciate about Butcher's character development is that the various inhabitants of his stories are distinctive enough that, several months after reading the last book in the series, I remember exactly who each character is as I revisit their world. While this late in the series it would be advisable to read the previous four books to get a clear sense of the context of what happens in this one, even someone who was introduced to Butcher's works with "Princeps' Fury" could get the gist of what's going on within the first few chapters. Overall, Jim Butcher has presented us with another winner! I await the conclusion of this series with bated breath.
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Yokai Attack The Japanese Monster Survival Guide
by
Hiroko Yoda
lupabitch
, October 22, 2008
With the current popularity of anime and manga, more and more Westerners are being introduced to traditional Japanese folklore, albeit in a sometimes highly altered fashion. This nifty little book, then, is a wonderful answer to the sometimes inaccurate assumptions that may be made about some of the strange and terrifying beings found in Nippon. Written with a combination of good research and tongue-in-cheek "advice" (in case you just happen to meet on of these beasties), and delightfully illustrated and designed, "Yokai Attack!" explores the history and habits of dozens of Eastern monsters. It's a fun way to discover the roots of various denizens of pop culture. Players of the video game "Okami" may recognize the wheel-with-a-face, the Wanyudo. White Wolf gamers (and others) could learn a few new things about the Kitsune. And anybody who has played any of the Super Mario Brothers games may notice a family resemblance between the games' Koopa Troopas, and the well-known Japanese Kappa. This is an excellent gift for your favorite Japanophile--and as the book has the same dimensions as your average paperback manga, it'll fit nicely on the shelf with everything else. However, any armchair mythologist will find this to be a good read, and it's a book whose niche has most definitely come.
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Freud & Beyond A History of Modern Psychoanalytic Thought
by
Stephen A Mitchell
lupabitch
, September 28, 2008
When many people think of Sigmund Freud, they immediately come up with an image of a bearded man taking notes on the words of a patient on a couch. Psychoanalysis is often linked to overly reductionist (and usually poorly informed) stereotypes that focus entirely on the sexual aspects of the Oedipus complex and related concepts. Yet Freud was the catalyst for what, in just over a century, has become a rich set of therapeutic theories and techniques that are at the basis of the majority of therapies today. The misinterpretations surrounding Freud's works can't eliminate the impact psychoanalysis has had on both psychological practice and the Western mind. "Freud and Beyond" by Stephen A. Mitchell is a superb overview of Freud's theories and their origins, as well as some of the more prevalent derivations thereof. The ego psychology developed by Freud's daughter, Anna, Erik Erikson's developmental theories, Melanie Klein's controversial object relations--all these and more are covered in detail. The reader is offered a journey through the evolution of psychoanalysis from the very beginning to the 21st century, which should serve to clear up a good number of misconceptions. While I encountered "Freud and Beyond" as a graduate school textbook, it is equally suitable for the layperson who wants a good bit of nonfiction to read. While thoroughly researched and of high academic quality, Mitchell's writing style should be accessible and engaging for most readers. He's also quite good at showing where psychoanalysis has shaped modern thought in other disciplines, as well as in Western cultures in general. Readers may be surprised at just how familiar some of the material is. On the other hand, Mitchell is not merely a Freudian apologist. He is well aware of the controversies and shortcomings of psychoanalysis, and the final two chapters discuss these in the context of the rest of the book. Overall, this is a great book with many potential audiences. Whether you're approaching psychology with great gusto, or you're simply curious about what the story behind the couch is, "Freud and Beyond" will give you a much better understanding of just what Sigmund and Co. were thinking about.
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These Things Ain't Gonna Smoke Th
by
Emily Flake
lupabitch
, September 25, 2008
Alright, an up-front confession--I am not a smoker. However, this quirky little graphic novel about one smoker's "Love/Hate/Love/Hate/Love" relationship to cigarettes was a look into how the other not-quite-half experiences nicotine. We're treated to a brief history of social attitudes towards smoking from celebrity endorsements to cancer threats, followed up with Flake's own mini-bio of how she got hooked. I was surprised, myself, to find out just how much of a social activity smoking is, as well as how much one's identity may be wrapped up in "I am a smoker". I do know that I will be more sympathetic to friends who are quitting after reading about the joys of nicotine "withdrawal", as well as mouth "bwifsters" from too many surrogate tea-tree oil/peppermint toothpicks. Flake's artwork is deceptively simple, and yet conveys quite a bit of expression. It's rendered wholly in black and white with splashes of vivid red, adding to the stark reality without being overly depressing. All in all, this was a fascinating look at an aspect of some folks' lives I'm not particularly privy to. While it's not going to make me go out and try smoking (nor was it particularly intended to), this little book gave me food for thought, and I admire Flake for putting her thoughts and her vulnerability out there for the world to see.
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Long Descent A Users Guide to the End of the Industrial Age
by
John Michael Greer
lupabitch
, September 23, 2008
Peak oil isn't coming--it's here. So says John Michael Greer, Grand Archdruid of not only the Ancient Order of Druids in America, but (unofficially) of the peak oil movement as well. In his newest book, "The Long Descent", Greer outlines a potential future for the United States as a nation and as an economic power as our access to oil declines over the coming decades. Rather than speaking as a leader in his spiritual community, he speaks to a broader audience as a Master Conserver, and one of the leading authorities on peak oil. Greer paints a picture of a nation in slow decline--the "long descent"--from the oil-dependent postindustrial nation we are today, back to a more agrarian based society mixed with some scavenging and remnants of modern technology. This is not the sudden, devastating apocalypse of doomsayers; few nations have fallen in such a quick manner. Nor will we be bailed out by further innovations in technology, as according to Greer alternative fuels will never give us the output that we require for our level of technology now. He bases his theory on the endings of numerous great civilizations throughout history, who generally went out with a prolonged whimper, rather than the more dramatic bang. This is not an utterly hopeless book, however. While Greer is realistic about some of the downsides of the long descent, such as reduced health care and more difficult access to non-local resources, he does offer a wealth of ideas and actions that can help with the transition. Many of these have already been embraced by people within the sustainability movement, including subsistence gardening, and learning handcrafts and general repair techniques. This will be a book that will have few neutral opinions. Those who believe in the reality of peak oil will find Greer's words to be a refreshingly sane alternative to survivalist panic attacks. Those who are convinced that technology will save us all may very well end up hurling this book at the nearest wall. Either way, "The Long Descent" earns a strong recommendation from me, and is a very welcome addition to the discourse on our economic and environmental future.
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Sin in the Second City Madams Ministers Playboys & the Battle for Americas Soul
by
Karen Abbott
lupabitch
, September 23, 2008
No, this isn't a knock-off of "Sex in the City". Though "Sin in the Second City" deals with sex, women, beauty, and money for luxuries, the latter book is entirely true--based on the incomparable Everleigh Sisters, Minna and Ada. At the turn of the century, the Levee District of Chicago was a hotbed of vice--prostitution, gambling, illicit substances of all sorts, and a high rate of violent crime. Into this morass of sin came the Everleigh Sisters. Toting their profits from successful prostitution in Omaha, and a pair of fake histories to throw off anyone attempting to trail their true origins, Minna and Ada set up shop at 2131-2133 Dearborn Street. Rather than following local trends and buying white slaves who would then be abused, denied health care despite their professions, and intimidated by a house whipper, The Everleigh Sisters set out to create a whorehouse that had a waiting list a mile long--for prostitutes who voluntarily wanted to work for them. In the decade that followed, the Everleigh Club (as their fine house was known) became the center of a blazing hot debate over white slavery and the red light district. Politics reigned supreme, from rivalries between different houses, to civic power struggles and grafting. And, of course, the morality police came out in force, using the worst cases of white slavery (and even some trumped-up charges) to paint the entire Levee District--the Everleigh included--with the same tawdry brush. Karen Abbott devotes much of the book to chronicling the adventures, misadventures, and tragedies that resulted. This is no dry tome listing historical factoids. Abbott brings the early 1900s vividly alive, with a talented eye towards description, and the ability to weave a story that would leave the Everleigh Sisters looking larger than life--if we didn't already know this was a work of nonfiction. Indeed, the author has done her homework, and I look forward to learning from more historical narratives from her. Every person involved in the sex and the scandals is brought forward as a true human being, well-rounded with heart and soul. Abbott has the ability to make the reader sympathize with all of them, both the hookers and the preachers, whether we agree with them or not. Related issues at the time are discussed to give context, and the connections between the politics at the time--including on a federal level--and the eventual demise of the Everleigh Club are made quite clear. In short, this is an incredibly fascinating read about such a seemingly insignificant, yet truly important, part of American history. Whether you cheer for the sexual prohibitionists who brought the Levee red light district to an end, or for the sisters who brought about the premiere whorehouse for both the "boys" and the "girls", you'll be sure to be engrossed in a true story that, for all its age, has only become more interesting with time.
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Your Money Or Your Life Transforming You
by
Joe Dominguez
lupabitch
, August 17, 2008
If one or more of the following applies to you: --You hate dealing with money --You think the current economic situation sucks for everyday people --You think the current economic situation sucks for the environment --You'd rather work for yourself than someone else, doing something you enjoy --You have trouble making ends meet, even when you're adequately employed, and you aren't sure where all the money goes Then you need to read this book. My husband has been bugging me to read this for months. Now I see why. I was hooked as soon as the authors, very early in the book, made it clear that the economic parameters most people are working in were created early in the 20th century, and that these parameters won't work in the current economic situation we're in--we're using outdated tools and knowledge. In fact, this theme continues throughout the book as the authors outline more up to date, effective practices. Take environmental sustainability, for example. Many of the topics that are covered include a lot of focus on the effects our decisions make on the natural environment, and how we can be both sustainable and self-sustainable. It's probably one of the most progressive guides to finances out there in this regard. Additionally, the authors are very much in support of self-employment, or at least employment that you enjoy. They really ask us to figure out how much our time is worth, and whether the work we're doing is worth it. They also help to figure out how much of the paycheck goes into maintaining employment, and whether one could survive without a job--as well as the costs it brings. If you're seriously considering going off-grid, or simply contemplating self-employment, there are a lot of important points discussed here. Finally, and probably the most difficult for some people to deal with--buying less stuff. The authors' notions of frugality include taking a hard, but necessary, look at our "gazingus pins"--"any item that you just canât pass by without buying. Everybody has them". Do you really need a brand new cell phone every two years that has internet access, a state of the art camera, Bluetooth, gewgaws, and all in a cheap plastic case that has the life span of a romance novel? What about all those magazines? Or DVDs you'll watch once and then stuff on the shelf? How much money do we lose out of the leaks in our financial boats caused by pointy, sharp gazingus pins? Hands down, this just became my number one recommended book on finances. Many of the concepts are already coming in handy--as well as showing us what we've already been doing right--as we prepare to go down to one primary income while I focus on grad school. Rather than dreading the possibility of failure, with the help of Your Money or Your Life we've been able to look at the future as a challenge to buck the two-income "requirement" of this economy.
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Rebel Bookseller How to Improvise Your Own Indie Store & Beat Back the Chains
by
Andrew Laties
lupabitch
, July 14, 2008
"How the author improvised his own indie store and beat back the chains" would have been a more accurate subtitle for this book. It's a good book, don't get me wrong, but I was expecting something more how-to, DIY. Instead, what we have here is a detailed biographical account of how Andrew Laties managed to take an indie book store and innovate numerous wonderful promotional and management ideas to keep it going despite the spreading plague of chains. Amid the anecdotes, he adds in crucial and often maddening information about the realities of the publishing industries and its flaws. It's heartening to see someone who beat the system for so long. That being said, there's really not much here for brainstorming. There's a lot about what the author did, but if you're looking for a book of ideas to try, this isn't it. I see it more as an inspirational text, a rallying cry. It's good; just don't listen to the subtitle as it is.
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