Cart
|
|
my account
|
wish list
|
help
|
800-878-7323
Hello, |
Login
MENU
Browse
New Arrivals
Bestsellers
Featured Preorders
Award Winners
Audio Books
See All Subjects
Used
Staff Picks
Staff Picks
Picks of the Month
Bookseller Displays
50 Books for 50 Years
25 Best 21st Century Sci-Fi & Fantasy
25 PNW Books to Read Before You Die
25 Books From the 21st Century
25 Memoirs to Read Before You Die
25 Global Books to Read Before You Die
25 Women to Read Before You Die
25 Books to Read Before You Die
Gifts
Gift Cards & eGift Cards
Powell's Souvenirs
Journals and Notebooks
socks
Games
Sell Books
Blog
Events
Find A Store
Don't Miss
Spring Sale
Big Mood Sale
Teen Dream Sale
Powell's Author Events
Oregon Battle of the Books
Audio Books
Get the Powell's newsletter
Visit Our Stores
Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
(0 comment)
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...
Read More
»
Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
(0 comment)
Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
(0 comment)
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
##LOC[Cancel]##
Customer Comments
FUBSY has commented on (13) products
Longbourn
by
Jo Baker
FUBSY
, September 27, 2015
An exquisitely written exploration of the lives of the servants in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". I dove in and barely came up for air. The story merely references the characters in "Pride and Prejudice". Rather, the book is focused on the minutia of the work of household servants; Sarah and Polly, two orphans, who work in the Bennet's household under the supervision of cook, Mrs. Hill. It amazed me how hard were their lives. They boiled and washed clothes, fretting over any stain; fed the pigs and mucked out their stalls; prepared and served food; did all the cleaning. But this is more than merely a sociological examination of servants. Baker imbues each character with a complex psychology and compels us to care for them. There is a dramatic change when Mr. Bennet hires the mysterious and shuttered John Smith to work with the horses. A growing attraction between Smith and Sarah bubbles beneath the daily grind of work. The rich Bennets are exposed as the careless rich, oblivious to the real human beings who create their beautiful life. Secrets are revealed. This book is a love story, an expose of the claustrophobic life of servants who toil in poverty. Baker is a brilliant writer, crafting sentences which sing as well as chronicle. Read this book and I predict that you shall fall in love with the characters,and the fine writing. Wonderful for those who love Austen.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Vanessa & Her Sister
by
Priya Parmar
FUBSY
, April 26, 2015
A fascinating fly-on-the wall view of the Bloomsbury Group of the early 1900s. These were brilliant minds of their time, artists, writers, economists, who deeply effected artistic attitudes of the time and championed feminism, pacifism, and a new sexuality. The members included Virginia Woolf (writer), Vanessa Bell (painter), Lytton Strachy (biographer and reviewer, E.M. Forster (novelist), Maynard Keynes (economist), Roger Fry (responsible for bringing the Post Impressionists to England). They gathered around Virginia and Vanessa who held their Thursday evenings where everyone came, debated ideas, and aired artistic differences. The story is seen through the eyes of Vanessa, Virginia's lesser known sister, but her equal nevertheless. We watch as Vanessa tries to help Virginia through her bouts of madness. We're entertained by their loves and losses, sexually open lives, and the excitement which trailed them wherever they roamed. Anyone who is interested in this era, and these people will be enchanted by Parmar's excellent writing. A delightful visit with the personages of the Bloomsbury Group and a fine read all around.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Farm
by
Tom Rob Smith
FUBSY
, October 27, 2014
So many books -- so little time! That's why I'm so fussy. Tom Rob Smith's "THE FARM" is a book worthy of a bookaholic's time. It grabbed my imagination from the first page, dragging me headlong into a modern fairy tale. With twists and turns, you never quite know what's happening. Is Daniel's mother, Hilde, crazy or is she just a woman willing to expose the Emperor's nudity? Daniel, her grown son, lives in London with secrets of his own. His father tells him that Hilde is imagining plots all around her. But when Hilde arrives in London, she presents a complex and believable plot taking place back in Sweden where she and her husband have moved to retire. I couldn't stop reading. Just one more segment, far too late into the night. Hilde is afraid. Or is she paranoid? Every moment, the reader believes they have the answer. Then we doubt again. Psychologically layered, atmospheric, full of possible villains. Daniel suffers the divided loyalty of a son with feuding parents. One of the best books I have read in quite awhile. Such a satisfying full meal of good writing, plot, characters and setting. I can't wait to read more from this award-winning author.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Flight Behavior
by
Barbara Kingsolver
FUBSY
, January 30, 2013
Barbara Kingsolver writes with scrumptious prose. Dellarobia Turnbow's life is the loneliest kind of lonely -- a stay-at-home mom on a farm on her in-laws property, “ ... sealed inside her airtight house ... running out of oxygen.” A woman of humour, she postulates, “People automatically estimate a mom’s IQ at around her children’s ages, maybe dividing by the number of kids, rounding up to the nearest pajama size.” As she races up the hill to her first tryst, she is overwhelmed by the unprecidented spectacle of the forest turned to fire by a seemingly unending wave of reds and orange, without flame. Her first sight of this river of fire is akin to a spiritual experience which she believes is a life-changing miracle. The world arrives to witness this miracle and indeed her life is changed forever. The title “Flight Behavior” refers to two interwoven realities. The first is the life of Dellarobia Turnbow and the second is nature’s response to climate change. A scientist and ecologist, Ovid Byron, arrives to study this miracle. He is a man who feels deeply about our planet and explains that the miracle is a harbinger of drastic biological disorder. He lies awake at night worrying. This book has a serious message combined with in interesting story of love, life, class issues and climate change. It should be required reading for everyone who cares about the earth. “Flight Behavior” is lyrical and sparkling with life. It’s a symphony not just a book but a whole-body experience.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
A Trick of the Light
by
Louise Penny
FUBSY
, January 06, 2012
Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache mysteries are simply brilliant, and this is the best so far. They take place in the fictitious Quebec village of Three Pines, which is replete with fascinating characters. Clara and Peter Morrow are artists, Ruth Zardo is an award-winning misanthropic poet awaiting the return of her rescued duck, and Gabi and Olivier run a bistro where the town gathers over croissants and cafe au lait to discuss the latest murder. The descriptions of the bill of fare make my mouth water. Gamache is the centerpiece of the author's carefully delineated players. His steadiness, compassion, and courage are inspiring. These people have become real to me, and it was with sadness that I read the last page. Penny's prose is lyrical, poetic and innovative. This book has plot, ideas, psychologically complex characters, and magnificent prose. It is everything a reader could want, and more. I'm holding my breath until the next one is published. No wonder Louise Penny has a fistful of awards.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Mascot Unraveling the Mystery of My Jewish Fathers Nazi Boyhood
by
Mark Kurzem
FUBSY
, September 08, 2011
A five-year old Jewish boy escapes a village massacre by a Nazi death squad and survives the winter cold by taking the uniform of a dead Nazi soldier. Found by Latvian Nazi soldiers he becomes their mascot and eventually lives with a high ranking Nazi family where he stars in a propaganda film. The story begins when, as a man in his seventies, he comes to his scholarly son and finally reveals the secret he has been keeping from his loving wife and family for almost his whole life. He fears being known as either a Jew or a Nazi, but asks his son to investigate his vague memories and uncover the startling truth of his young years. A mystery, and a search for identity and redemption, told through the memories of a little boy, with a surprising twist. An extremely moving memoir of a haunted man.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Shes Not There A Life In Two Genders
by
Jennifer F Boylan
FUBSY
, September 07, 2011
Have you ever wondered why anyone would want to change their gender? You can find understanding in this beautifully written autobiographical account by Jennifer Finney Boylan who made the transition from James to Jennifer. An acclaimed comic novelist and college professor, Boylan had never been comfortable in his skin. He finally unearths the courage to become the woman he always knew he was. We travel along with her as she tells her loving wife Grace and best friend writer Richard Russo (who writes the Afterword). Her story reveals the differences between being a woman and being a man, as well as the basic human qualities shared by us all. The narrative is handled beautifully by a true writer. I was entranced throughout. I laughed with her, and I wept with her and was tremendously moved by her story. I urge everyone to read it, to grasp the difficulties, joy and humanity of being transgendered.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(2 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Monkeewrench
by
P J Tracy
FUBSY
, September 07, 2011
MONKEEWRENCH is the first book in a fabulous series of mysteries. Monkeewrench refers to a company of computer wizards who at one time may have been on the wrong side of the law. They're a strange bunch of characters; a scary former biker with a heart-of-gold who enjoys luxuries like his amazingly tricked-out trailer, and gourmet food; the beautiful and dangerous Grace who never goes anywhere unarmed and lives in a fortified house; a tall skinny hacker who dresses in cycling attire and uses only his bicycle all year round; a zaftig woman who swans in and out wearing outrageous clothes and knocking men for a loop. All of these hackers have joined together to help law-enforcement capture criminals using the internet. They're rough, tough, and family for one another. Add two wonderful mid-western policemen and you have a breathtaking array of fascinating people on a wild gallop to save the lives of ordinary citizens. After reading my first, I read them all. P.J. Tracy writes addictive books which go far beyond your run-of-the-mill mystery.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Harvard Psychedelic Club How Timothy Leary Ram Dass Huston Smith & Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties & Ushered in a New Age for America
by
Don Lattin
FUBSY
, January 01, 2011
This eminently readable book is a true history of four men, at Harvard University, who changed how we see the world on this continent. They began legal experiments at Harvard using LSD, which led to enormous spiritual insights. Those insights have changed how we view the world, and ourselves in it. Timothy Leary ushered in experimentation in drugs, Ram Dass became a spiritual leader, Huston Smith introduced North Americans to the religions of the world, and Andrew Weil is the father of alternative medicine in the United States. Their works changed the thinking of a whole generation, and helped usher in the Summer of Love. This is social history at its best, full of information, personal revelations, social commentary, all within one well-written book. I don't usually read history non-fiction, but this book had me spellbound.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
A Peculiar Grace
by
Jeffrey Lent
FUBSY
, January 01, 2010
This book has stayed with me for years. It has everything I want in a book: memorable fully-developed characters, gorgeous prose, a love story, a well-turned plot, a mystery, plus description of art and it's process. The main character is a a semi-hermit. A brilliant blacksmith artist, his life is changed when a free-living hippie girl in a wildly decorated Volkswagen Bug falls into his life. He searches the mystery of his parent's past, and in flashbacks revisits his first love during the times of sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. There is indeed a peculiar grace to this work.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Shanghai Moon
by
S J Rozan
FUBSY
, June 15, 2009
THE SHANGHAI MOON is the latest book from mystery writer S.J. Rozan. What I love most about the Lydia Chin/Bill Smith books is the entry it gives me into Chinese-American culture. In this book, we have an added bonus into American-Jewish culture. I’m Jewish, and a Chinese friend once said that she thought that Jewish and Chinese families are very similar. Rozan even writes that some think the Chinese are the lost tribe of Israel. The mixture of the two groups together in one novel is delicious. Both Jews and Chinese are very interested in food, and the healing properties therein. “The Shanghai Moon” itself is a priceless gem of legend, sought after by many since its disappearance. The gem was created as a wedding brooch by combining a beautiful carved jade circle from a prominent Chinese family in Shanghai, with a diamond necklace from a Jewish family escaping from Hitler. I was enchanted by the story of these two unlikely lovers, as is Lydia Chin. There is murder, double-crosses, triple-crosses, enough to make your head spin, with the feisty Lydia Chin smack dab in the middle of everything.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
report this comment
Distance Between Us
by
Bart Yates
FUBSY
, March 21, 2009
It is seldom that a book will bring me to tears -- but this one did, several times. It is a poignant story about love and hate within a brilliant musical family. It is told by the feisty and devilishly witty mother, Hester Donovan, the former Hester Parker, internationally renowned concert pianist. All of the Donovans are brilliant at something, and especially at pushing each other's buttons. Emotions are strong throughout the family, and each one has been wounded by the death of son and brother Jeremy. They love and bruise with mercurial banter and repartee. The story moves quickly, and as with all great books, I did not want to say goodbye to these people.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
The Cats' House
by
Bob Walker
FUBSY
, March 19, 2009
Anyone who loves cats will be tickled by this book. Anyone who loves Mexican house colours will also love this book. These people have created a whimsical, colourful, and brilliant architectural playground for many cats in their home. Visually stunning, fanciful, and practical for the cats.
Was this comment helpful? |
Yes
|
No
(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment