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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
Lucy Black has commented on (20) products
Powells Pint Glass Blue
by
OSI
Lucy Black
, April 20, 2016
I loved these glasses. Got a whole set but I broke one. Hope you guys carry them again soon!
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Possession, Exorcism, and Hauntings
by
Adam Christian Blai M. S.
Lucy Black
, July 27, 2015
A thoughtful treatise on possessions and other demon-related happenings from a Roman Catholic perspective. Although strongly religious, the subject matter is discussed in a straight-forward manner that does not alienate individuals who do not share the author's background.
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Baron in the Trees
by
Italo Calvino
Lucy Black
, July 27, 2015
This story begins with a sullen youth who ascends to the trees in an act of protest against his family. From this, Calvino weaves a tale that is both delightful and somber; whimsical but within reason. The author is the master of protesting the human condition in a manner that is altogether too-charming. I highly recommend this book.
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If on a winter's night a traveler
by
Italo Calvino
Lucy Black
, January 02, 2013
Almost a mystery, almost a romance, almost an ode to reading itself, this book should be required material for all self-proclaimed bibliophiles.
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Story of O
by
Pauline Reage, Sabine DEstree, Jean Paulhan
Lucy Black
, August 28, 2012
I finished this book almost entirely in one sitting, feeling much as though I were engaged in some sort of well-written train wreck. I couldn’t really stop reading (I kept telling myself it might get better) but I couldn’t pinpoint anything particularly redeeming or entertaining within the pages either. If you want to read about the psychological aspects of BDSM then look elsewhere. If you want to read an apologia to slavery, or a work of fiction that explores the freedom and human nature, read something else. What this novel does offer is page upon page of insipid gangbangs and whippings. (Even these are not described with any particular emotion or great detail, but more along the lines of, “she was entered” or “she screamed and writhed in pain,” which was perhaps the whole point, but it doesn’t make for an engaging read.)
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Mount Analogue A Novel of Symbolically Authentic Non Euclidian Adventures in Mountain Climbing
by
Rene Daumal
Lucy Black
, August 28, 2012
Encouraged by a half-sarcastic, long since forgotten article, a man gets in touch with the author to go on a quest for an invisible mountain. Only the mountain is a giant metaphor for truth or something along those lines. This book is an excellent read, and can be taken as a philosophical exercise or enjoyed as an adventure story. The characters in the story might be questing for the metaphysical, but they never fail to neglect little details like money or proper mountain climbing equipment. Sadly, Daumal did not live long enough to finish this would-be masterpiece, but what he did get down on paper makes for an entertaining, enlightening read.
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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
by
Clarke, Susanna
Lucy Black
, February 19, 2010
This novel is set in the early nineteenth century; an age where the once common magicians and their fairy servants have entirely disappeared. Two men appear on the scene to breath life into English magic, rescuing it from those who’d rather argue pure theory than practice the actual craft. Of course Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell have opposing ideas as to how they should accomplish said task, and there are many others who are eager to exploit the two magician’s talents. One of the few good novels of the fantasy genre that I’ve read -- ever. Clarke evidently realizes that one can write creatively without sacrificing intelligence or credibility. Mixing historical figures with characters of her own creation, the author brings both to life with equal skill. Highly recommended to anyone who’d like a clever fantasy novel, where aspects like plot and character development aren’t sacrificed to funny-sounding names.
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Book of the Courtier
by
Baldassare Castoglione and Baldassarre Castiglione
Lucy Black
, February 09, 2010
More or less the Italian Renaissance version of How to Make Friends and Influence People. The Book of the Courtier offers a vibrant portrait of what life was like in the courts during Castiglione‘s time through a series of conversations debating the qualities of the perfect courtier and lady. Hilarious and informative, read this for its historical relevance or to simply become a bit more debonair yourself.
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White Tiger
by
Aravind Adiga
Lucy Black
, February 09, 2010
The White Tiger is a compelling narrative about one man’s ascent in modern India. Our narrator, the charismatic Balram, presents the story of his life thus far in the form of letters to Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, intending to school the leader in true Indian entrepreneurialism. (Whether or not the correspondence actually reaches its intended destination is well beyond the point.) Humorous and eye-opening, this book is easy to read but difficult to forget.
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Les Fleurs Du Mal The Flowers of Evil
by
Charles Baudelaire
Lucy Black
, January 13, 2010
There are not many poets who can write movingly on so many subjects, but Charles Baudelaire does justice to every line. Although Les Fleurs du Mal is best in its original language, there are many very good English translations that more or less capture the essence of his words. Overall, this collection is definitely some of the poet’s best work, filled with eroticism that shocked the nineteenth century crowd, macabre elements that would make Poe proud, as well as humour and descriptions that are still very relevant today. An excellent read!
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Night of Serious Drinking
by
Rene Daumal
Lucy Black
, August 28, 2009
A grande beuverie used as a device for delivering a brilliant philosophical exploration of heaven and hell. René Daumal is probably better known for Mount Analogue (which served as inspiration for Jodorowsky's Holy Mountain) but this is definitely worth reading. If you are remotely fond of philosophy, satire, drunks, or just witty surrealist ramblings, then you will definitely enjoy this book.
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Watchmen
by
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
Lucy Black
, August 28, 2009
This was my first graphic novel, and while I’m not really into the genre, I think it is a very good example of the medium. If nothing else, Watchmen gets points for presenting some intelligent philosophical arguments as well as for quoting Blake. Kinda makes me want to read V for Vendetta now. We’ll see.
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(6 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)
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Let the Right One In
by
John Ajvide Lindqvist
Lucy Black
, August 28, 2009
I strongly recommend this book, even to readers who aren’t fans of the popular horror writers to which Lindqvist is often compared. Let the Write One In is an exciting, intelligently written novel. Unlike other examples of the horror genre, I did not feel as though violence or sexuality were used gratuitously (although both are definitely present) and the characters were engaging and well-developed. It is certainly refreshing to read a vampire story about people with real strengths and weaknesses, rather than flashy (or sparkly) demi-gods that no mere mortal can care about or relate to. My only hope is that they hurry up and make some of Lindqvist’s other writing available in the States A.S.A.P.!
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(3 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
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Macbeth Folger Shakespeare Library
by
William Shakespeare
Lucy Black
, August 28, 2009
Everyone should read Macbeth, at least once if not over and over again. It is one of the most well-written, most produced, and most loved of Shakespeare’s plays. The title character as well as the infamous Lady Macbeth, continue to be referenced as symbols of “evil ambition,” making this play relevant to readers of modern literature, as well as to everyone who just loves some Elizabethan drama. This is hands down my favourite of the Great Bard’s works, and I cannot recommend it too highly.
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Uglies 01
by
Scott Westerfeld
Lucy Black
, August 28, 2009
A world where ugly people all receive mandatory plastic surgery to become super hotties. The premise: what happens when someone wants to retain their natural form? This book is not completely terrible, but there are definitely better examples of young adult fiction out there. All the characters are fairly one-dimensional, which bothered me more than the incredibly predictable plot. Wouldn’t recommend this to anyone over ten, although it made for a decently entertaining, quick read.
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(3 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
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Haunted
by
Chuck Palahniuk
Lucy Black
, July 10, 2009
First of all, Chuck Palahniuk isn’t for everyone. People who’re squeamish in regards to sex or violence need not apply. That said, often it is the very gritty, graphic nature of his writing that brings his stories so vividly to life. He is an author who writes about the uglier things in this world, and it is impossible to make notions like addition or abuse come to life using innocuous, flowery prose. Haunted starts out with a great premise: a secluded retreat where a group of writers are to remain until they’ve completed their masterpiece. The catch?-- the people in charge literally won’t let anyone leave until they’ve written something, and after awhile human nature starts to rear its ugly head. The novel’s structure is unique in that the main plot (that of the writers and their collective fates) is interspersed between the stories written by the individual characters, as well as a poem proceeding each story, which gives tells a little personal history. Unfortunately, where Palahniuk’s explicit style succeeds in novels like Choke or Fight Club, it descends into gratuitousness in Haunted. Perhaps due to the bizarre format, there is only minimal character development, and the writers’ tales do little to create reader-sympathy for them. Although a couple of the shorts really engraved themselves in my mind, overall I found myself bored and annoyed with the people in this book, and even after several attempts I never managed to finish reading it. I would not recommend Haunted unless you’re merely reading for the shock effect that’s made the novel so infamous.
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Forever Amber
by
Winsor, Kathleen
Lucy Black
, July 05, 2009
After getting through finals, I felt like reading something utterly trashy and this was recommended to me. Forever Amber is like a shoddy Gone with the Wind wannabe, only set in seventeenth century England, with a wretched plot, anticlimactic ending, and completely one-dimensional/obnoxious characters. It tells the story of a young girl named Amber (an orphaned, should-be noble raised by common folk) who uses sex and conniving to rise in society. This book was actually considered pornography by some states when it was first published in 1944, and condemned by the Catholic Church, but today’s reader hoping for graphic love-making will be thoroughly disappointed. (Les Liaisons dangereuses and Fanny Hill are both more explicit and much better written, if you’re looking for a steamy period piece.) Ellipses are artfully employed in scenes where actions become too scandalous for words. Overall, I would not recommend this book, although it does score a few points with me for an historically accurate and reasonably detailed section describing the 1665 Great Plague of London. ‘Cause who doesn’t love plague-romance?
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Atala Rene
by
Franc Chateaubriand
Lucy Black
, July 04, 2009
If you are fond of nineteenth century European literature (especially French literature) or nature writing, then Atala/René are must-reads. Essentially these novellas are the prelude to romantic literature, notably the “being angsty in nature” genre, which more recently has turned-out the popular book/movie, Into the Wild. Atala is the story of a Native American who runs away with an enemy chief’s daughter, eventually receiving succour from a missionary who attempts to convert him from his “heathen ways.” In addition to containing a highly romanticised ideas of indigenous life, Atala is rife with hilarious descriptions of geography (according to the book the Columbia, Mississippi, and Winnipeg rivers are basically neighbours) and fauna (bears love grapes so much they stumble around the forest drunk) in North America, apparently based on supposedly non-fiction accounts of the new world that had been published around that time. René also contains our trusty native from the first tale, but it centres instead on a melancholy, young Frenchman who has travelled to the Americas to escape his former life, and be at one with nature. Perhaps the first great example of the Byronic hero, many of the gothic elements are present as René tells his friends about his life in Europe.
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Court of the Air Jackelian 01
by
Stephen Hunt
Lucy Black
, July 03, 2009
There are some brilliant, innovative, humorous, provocative works of fantasy/sci-fi out there; this is not one of them. Someone made the mistake of comparing Hunt to authors like Susanna Clarke and Phillip Pullman (something I consider a blatant insult to the latter two). Other than the fact that all three authors are English, neither Clarke nor Pullman’s writing has much in common with the insipid blather that can by found in The Court of the Air. Hunt’s novel is an excellent example of why I avoid most sci-fi and a lot of fantasy; genres where too many authors try to disguise their inability to write with a bunch of funny-sounding names. Although (maybe) a couple of the minor characters in this novel are amusing, the main ensemble is colourless and one-dimensional. The author’s attempts at making-over England into a fantastical setting was pathetically unoriginal, and his plot wasn’t all that great either. Hunt sort of just “borrows” things at random from history/reality, conveniently ignoring the fact that his story supposedly takes place in a DIFFERENT UNIVERSE (which makes the use of rugby terms or allusions to the Round Table flagrantly inappropriate) as well as from other sources like Doctor Who, Verne, and Lovecraft. Overall, although I did manage to finish it, The Court of the Air was extraordinarily disappointing. I think the most positive thing I could say about this book is that it has nice cover art.
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Atlas Shrugged
by
Ayn Rand, Leonard Peikoff
Lucy Black
, July 02, 2009
Although I’m not really into the whole laissez-faire capitalism the way I used to be, I’m still extremely fond of Ayn Rand. A lot of the points she makes in her writing are valid, even if her overall philosophy is a little extreme/idealistic. I can always appreciate someone who comes up with logical, intriguing arguments, even if I disagree with then, and Rand’s books do just that. I loved The Fountainhead, so I’m glad that her magnum opus didn’t turn out to be a disappointment. Atlas Shrugged is one of the most well-written novels I’ve read in a long time, if not ever. The plot and characters kept me completely engrossed for over a thousand pages (no small feat), and all the little pieces came together in the end so I didn’t feel like half the subplots were just wasting my time. Even the title is perfection. My only criticism (aside from the whole utopian capitalism bit) is Rand’s tendency to make certain characters go on lengthy, self-righteous moral tirades. It is somewhat excusable in a novel I suppose, but there’s a chapter towards the end that especially bugged me. Realistically, everyone would have stopped listening to the guy after about five minutes (if that). But since the guy is basically a rockstar of life, I guess the reader can pretend that his rhetoric is just that engaging.
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