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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
Gail Cooke has commented on (12) products
Season Of Second Chances
by
Diane Meier
Gail Cooke
, March 31, 2010
Do you ever wonder how many go to New York City looking for success and excitement? Next query - how many find it? Joy Harkness did not. She had long nurtured a dream of going to Manhattan as "a way out of Saint Louis." Some 17 years later she tells us, "It takes a keen eye to tell a false start from a dead end. I was finished with New York." To many Joy's life was enviable - she'd been at Columbia University for 12 years, received a full professorship and published a book of poetry. Yet she remained isolated with few friends or involvement in the greater community or, for that matter, in life. Joy doesn't hesitate when she's offered a teaching position at Amherst College and the opportunity to be a part of a group working toward changing teaching methods. She sells her apartment, packs her belongings, and goes. Although determined to remain in her self-styled cocoon, removed from others, Joy is immediately embraced by her office mates, and urged (dragged might be a better word) to take part in social activities in which she has no interest. What does Joy care about? A recently purchased aged Victorian home in much need of repair. That had been a spur of the moment buy and quite unlike anything she has ever done. And, she cares about Teddy, a handyman who turns her relic of a residence into a warm, inviting home. Teddy is one of the most appealing characters to be found. A boy/man in gimme cap and shorts he is caught in a dysfunctional relationship with his mother (a thin lipped harridan), is a genius at renovation and repair, has an unerring eye for color and decor, an encyclopedic knowledge of historic homes, and an innocent, honest concern for others. As Joy is unwillingly drawn into the happiness and travails of those around her she begins to learn how to relate, how to genuinely feel for others. This evolution is described with both insight and humor, whether she is fending off the advances of the Coyotes (male faculty members with an eye for someone new) or trying to care for four young girls who patiently teach her the importance of a pastry bag and how necessary it is to keep hair conditioner on hand. THE SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES is an empowering, entertaining story reminding us of the importance of home, family, and trust. It is, at times, an invitation to step outside of our familiar boundaries and perhaps discover what we may yet become. As Joy reaches her home after an especially busy day she looks at the windows "glowing from within,' and comments, "There was life in this house, and I was a part of it." We can rejoice with her, and learn. Enjoy! - Gail Cooke
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Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show
by
Frank Delaney and Frank Delaney
Gail Cooke
, March 27, 2010
The voice. It's a most remarkable voice, magical, mesmerizing drawing one in. Through countless audiobooks never has a reader (in this case, of course, also the author) so captured me. I dislike cliches but this fellow could read a city census and there would be applause. Frank Delaney's voice is modulated, low, strong with merely a hint of the Irish. His words can tumble, spring forth to cast a spell or somberly intone. His narration is rich with understanding, and ripe with experience: I've been there, I've seen it, I know it. How can a voice convey all of this? Listen to VENETIA KELLY'S TRAVELING SHOW. To tell us of the momentous events that changed not only his life but that of his country, Ireland, Ben McCarthy remembers. Now an older man he looks back to the winter of 1932, a time of turmoil in his home and throughout the land. He lived with his father and mother, Harry and Louise, on a small farm. Harry is stolid, hard working, a family man. Ben sometimes worries that his parents work too hard, and "dug for gold on the farm so he could buy his parents gifts." Quite obviously he is a good youth, one who only wants to do what is right. Theirs is a quiet life with entertainment sometimes being a traveling circus. Harry goes to Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show starring Venetia, a young, beautiful woman who we are told "... sprang from the womb and waved to the crowd. Then she smiled and took a bow. " It's a shock when always reliable Harry falls passionately, head-over-heels, crazy in love with Venetia and decides to follow the circus. Louise is distraught and sends Ben off with directions to "Find him and bring him back." Thus begins Ben's odyssey, a journey studded with intrigue, larceny, murder and other heinous acts. In addition to unforgettable characters Delaney peoples his story with real people (Yeats) and, yes, a ventriloquist's dummy, Blarney, whose utterances are less than comedic. Woven throughout are references to myth. An ever astonishing author Delaney is difficult to capture - he's inventive, surprising, witty, erudite. But, why try to capture him? Simply listen and enjoy. - Gail Cooke
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False Convictions
by
Tim Green
Gail Cooke
, February 22, 2010
Following on the heels of his well received Above The Law, Tim Green spins another suspenseful tale reminding us that oftentimes little is as it appears to be. Once again starring feisty, tough but beautiful attorney Casey Jordan FALSE CONVICTIONS takes us into the worlds of billionaire Robert Graham who believes money can buy anything and is willing to spend plenty to get what he want, and to a prison where an indigent African-American, Dwayne Hubbard, is serving a life sentence for the horrible rape/murder/mutilation of a 17-year-old girl some 20 years ago. When Casey receives a call from Graham asking to have dinner with her she doesn't hesitate a second before dropping other plans - The Freedom Project, a charity that uses DNA to prove the innocence of those found guilty, is dear to Casey's heart, and she believes Graham may be interested in helping it. As she says, "Robert Graham isn't just some billionaire. He's a philanthropist." Right? The promise of a million dollar pledge to Casey's legal clinic in return for her legal services is something she can't refuse. So, she heads for Auburn, NY to free Hubbard. Casey gets a lot of flack because of a recent movie made about her in which she's portrayed by Susan Lucci, but even more disturbing than flack is the niggling suspicion that someone is blocking her efforts. Suspicion grows closer to reality after she meets and compares notes with handsome TV journalist Jake Carlson who has been assigned to do a piece on Graham. Carlson is good at his job; he knows how to pander to a rich man's ego, so much so that during the interview Graham became red-faced and teary-eyed from telling humorous stories about eating ketchup sandwiches as a child and building toys out of used Popsicle sticks...." A believable story? To many but not to Jake and soon Casey has more than doubts - corroborated when both have to run for their lives. FALSE CONVICTIONS is a taut, fast paced thriller that keeps readers on tender hooks until the final pages. Enjoy! - Gail Cooke
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Morning Show Murders
by
Al Roker
Gail Cooke
, December 25, 2009
Very few are as familiar with the ins, outs, and roundabouts of morning TV as is popular weatherman Al Roker. What few knew until recently was that he's not only engaging on camera but also an accomplished author ( Don't Make Me Stop This Car!: Adventures In Fatherhood, and several cookbooks.) Add to that description a smart fellow because when he decided to turn his pen to a mystery he wrote about what he knew - choosing as his protagonist Chef Billy Blessing who tantalizes viewers tastebuds each morning on Wake Up America! It's a delicious treat to read Roker's book because of his ingenious use of and references to real people, places and programs. This gambit leaves readers wondering what is fact and what is fiction while enjoying every page. Don't know whether or not American Idol, Charles Gibson, Clint Eastwood, etc. enjoy their mentions, but readers surely will. How's this for an opening line, "The big guy lumbered toward me, waving the cleaver. Weeping like a baby."? Roker pulls us in on page 1 and keeps us guessing until page 312. Between his gigs on Wake Up America and running a vaunted NYC restaurant Chef Billy Blessing has been in tall cotton. Ooops, when the show's producer is murdered and his untimely departure is found to have been caused by coq au vin from Billy's restaurant, who is the prime suspect? None other than charming Billy. Producer Gallagher left behind a little black book filled with names and had recently been to Afghanistan, Kabul "to oversee a week of live evening news broadcasts." While there a man sharing a dinner table was murdered, his throat cut. Unwittingly Gallagher had become privy to dangerous, tightly guarded information. Worth murdering to keep secret? Whatever the case, it's not long before some very unfriendly fellows are circling and it seems another death is in the offing. In order to clear himself Billy must not only find the killer but stay alive while doing it. Roker has created a likable hero, spiced his story with insider quips, and woven an entertaining mystery - enjoy! - Gail Cooke
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Artful Words Mary Engelbreit & the Illustrated Quote
by
Mary Engelbreit
Gail Cooke
, December 12, 2009
As we know, words can heal, encourage, inspire, bring laughter, convey love. Really, words are small miracles that can work wonders - if only we can find the right ones when they're needed. With ARTFUL WORDS AND THE ILLUSTRATED QUOTE we find not only appropriate words but the heartwarming illustrations of Mary Engelbreit. As she says "words and pictures are like the lyrics and the melody of a great song....they have always gone together." Indeed, they do. Thoughtful quotations and sayings are arranged by subject - seven in which Engelbreit has found inspiration: Love and Family, Friendship, Inspiration and Encouragement, Wisdom and Learning, Childhood, Holidays, and Pure Mary. Little is more endearing than the pages devoted to children which includes among others this quote from Charles Dickens, "It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us," and from Graham Greene, "There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in." A section regarding friendship will make readers want to pick up the phone and call someone who is dear to them, and the words concerning love will touch hearts. My special thanks to Sara Jeanette Duncan for this apt reminder, "One loses many laughs by not laughing at oneself." ARTFUL WORDS is a volume worth returning to again and again to savor words of wisdom and enjoy Engelbreit's unique illustrations. - Gail Cooke
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Kindred In Death
by
J D Robb
Gail Cooke
, December 10, 2009
One might think that with the 39th offering in a series an author might be slowing down - quite the opposite is true with J. D. Robb who ratchets up the suspense, scariness, and sex in KINDRED IN DEATH. For this reader it's the best Eve Dallas tale yet. Set in 2060 with NYC as the primary backdrop we find our erstwhile police lieutenant and husband Roarke enjoying a leisurely Sunday, and planning a day in the Caymans. (Just one more perk for being married to a handsome over the top wealthy Irishman with his own plane). However they're interrupted, "He (Roarke) watched the cop take over, face, posture, as she picked up the communicator to respond to her commander." Jonah McMasters, who has recently been promoted to NYPD captain, and his wife have just returned from a brief trip to find their 16-year-old daughter, Deena, dead in her own bedroom. She has been savagely assaulted, repeatedly raped, and strangled. It soon becomes obvious that the killer took his time, enjoying the slaughter and the pain he inflicted. McMasters has specifically asked for Eve to handle the case. There is no sign of forced entry to the home, moreover no apparent reason for murdering an innocent young girl. This is a tough case for Eve in more ways than one as in viewing Deena she relives the abuse she once suffered. "She knew what it was to be helpless like this, abused like this, terrified like this." With little if anything to go on Eve assembles her team, and meticulously starts to work. If ever there was a crime she wanted to solve this was it. Her team feels the same way as a crime against a police officer is an attack on each one of them. When an initial clue is found it becomes clear that the murder was committed to hurt McMasters, perhaps a payback, but for what? Readers will be both entertained and intrigued as they follow the steps taken to eventually track down a fiendish killer. Future technology, and the involvement of Roarke who can pull all sorts of strings, make the reading even more fascinating. Even if one has not read a previous Eve Dallas thriller it is easy to come to know the other characters, and appreciate them for their distinctive personalities and skills. Mix in a wedding for which Eve will serve as matron of honor (not exactly her favorite milieu). Somehow, amidst all the viciousness Robb manages to mix a little humor, methinks a rare talent. KINDRED IN DEATH is that rarity - a complex murder mystery that seems within the realm of possibility resulting in shivers, chills, and non-stop reading. - Gail Cooke
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Home Sweet Home A Journey Through Marys Dream Home
by
Mary Engelbreit
Gail Cooke
, December 09, 2009
While this stunning idea packed volume is subtitled A Journey Through Mary's Dream Home, it will probably be the dream house of many who leaf through these color filled pages. HOME SWEET HOME begins just as you'd enter a home - at the front door, and a welcoming one it is at the top of a tree lined drive and alive with brightly blossoming plants. Once you see cherry-shaped cutouts on wooden window shutters you know it is, indeed, Mary's house. After seeing the beautifully landscaped yard, playhouse, and welcoming gazebo we're invited into the living room awash in sunshine and soothing with colors of pale greens and cream. "Open to the rafters, sunlight filters in through skylights directly above and big windows on three sides of the room." The dining room is, if you will, elegant, and you've never seen a kitchen like Mary's! It is eye-popping red full of checks, cherries, hearts, and cottage roses. The hearth in the kitchen fireplace boasts read and white checkerboard tiles and crimson, of course, canisters hold staples. The house is more than amazing with every small space a tableau, perhaps filled by "Mary's inexhaustible drive to make every nook and cranny of the house feel like home." HOME SWEET HOME is a pleasure and resource you'll return to again and again because you cannot possibly absorb all there is to see and learn with one or two readings. Enjoy! - Gail Cooke
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Cat Striking Back A Joe Grey Mystery
by
Shirley Rousseau Murphy
Gail Cooke
, October 30, 2009
Granted, considering the number sold it's doubtful that there are many first-time readers of Rousseau's Joe Grey series, but just in case there are a few things that should be accepted for prime enjoyment of this fun, part fantasy, all mystery story. First, decide that it's ok for cats to talk, to one another and to their human friends. Second, accept the fact that Joe is a cat and a full-time detective who will dare almost anything until the crime in question is solved. There, now that's settled prepare for the 15th installment of his sleuthing shenanigans. Joe is padding through Molena Point toting a four course meal for a nursing mother cat when his sharp senses detect a smell that stopped him, " smell that made his fur bristle." It was the awful odor of blood and human death. He follows this to an abandoned property and an empty swimming pool. The pool's bottom is covered in muddy slime but it's also clear that something, something large has been dragged across one end of the pool. Joe is able to follow a trail that leads to where what he believes to be a body is dragged, tire marks indicate the body was put in a car and taken away. He calls the police, and then after taking food to the hungry mother cat returns to the scene only to find that in such a brief period someone has hosed down the area removing the evidence he had seen. Who and why? No sooner had Joe made his report and hardly had time to ponder the strange goings-on when houses in the neighborhood are broken into. Strange robberies if that is what they are as nothing seems have been taken. Four houses that have been entered are vacant as the owners are on vacation. Joe, his lady, Dulcie, and friend Kit begin going house to house trying to put a few pieces of this strange puzzle together. These are really odd break-ins and Joe knows there's been a murder but there is no body. What can the crime busting kitties do next? A couple of feral cats join them while continuing to marvel at the strange ways of humans. Joe and his two-footed friends certainly have their work cut out for them and readers have one more Joe Grey mystery to enjoy. - Gail Cooke
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Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas
by
Cary Fagan
Gail Cooke
, October 18, 2009
It is always sad when a giant of the literary world passes away, thus our loss was great when Mordecai Richler died 8 years ago. Fortunately, he left a rich legacy for all to enjoy including The Apprenticeship of Duddy Cravats, and especially for children the Jacob Two-Two stories. We're told that Richler had always intended to continue the adventures of his pint-size hero, Jacob, but for a while it seemed that was not to be. Now, fully supported by the Richler family award winning author Cary Fagan (Ten Old Men and a Mouse, My New Shirt) brings Jacob to life again in an enchanting sea-worthy tale winningly illustrated by Dusan Petricic. Jacob, we remember, is a boy to whom young readers can easily relate. He was given his rather odd name because he has two older brothers and two older sisters, his age was two plus two plus two years, and "...because nobody in his family ever heard him the first time, so he had to say everything two times." Jacob didn't like his name at all. Further, his birthday was approaching and he feared since he would no longer be Two-Two his brothers and sisters would take great pleasure in teasing him by renaming his "Jacob Two-Two Plus One." The only way he could think of to avoid this was to somehow see that his family forgot his birthday. That was quite a sacrifice because he wouldn't receive any presents, yet he was willing to do that, but how? Luckily for him his father had news - the family would be moving from England to Canada and would be crossing the ocean on a ship. Since there were no more tickets on the Queen Elizabeth 11 they'd be going on the SS Spring-a-Leak. Jacob meets may interesting new friends on board ship but there's trouble on the horizon in the form of a ship flying the Jolly Roger! How could one small boy possibly deal with pirates? Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas is a more than welcome gift for young readers. Enjoy! - Gail Cooke
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Lies My Mother Never Told Me
by
Kaylie Jones
Gail Cooke
, August 12, 2009
We've often heard that privilege is paired with pain, and that has certainly been true in the life of Kaylie Jones, daughter of acclaimed novelist James Jones (From Here To Eternity, The thin Red Line). She writes with searing honesty, apparently wihholding nothing. nothing. In fact, at times the reader may think she reveals too much simply because it would seem that revisiting some things would hurt too much. Yet, in the end, after lancing these painful memories, releasing the poisons she emerges stronger than she had ever dreamed. Born in Paris she lived in a sumptuous apartment with her father, her beautiful mother, Gloria, and adopted brother, Jamie. The centerpiece in that apartment was an antique 18th century carved wooden pulpit used as a bar. To her father this was a great irony , his way of thumbing his nose at his Christian forebears, "...all of it—the hypocrisy, the sexual repression, and the beatings his mother had given him in the name of God." Gloria did not physically abuse Kaylie, yet she ravaged her emotionally telling the child, "You're a mean, spoiled ugly girl. You bore me to death. I can't wait till you grow up." When Kaylie did grow, there was more vitriol, "You're a whore, you know that? Your father would be ashamed of you." The verbal abuse never ended for as long as Gloria lived. Yet, among friends Gloria could be amusing, a well liked raconteur. She would hold court among guests which often included the world's literary lights such as James Baldwin, William Styron, Norman Mailer, Willie Morris, and more. Parties at the Jones apartment often lasted through the night, often ending only at dawn. There were few prohibitions in their household save one - no one saw or would admit that both James Jones and Gloria were alcoholics. Jones died of congestive heart failure when Kaylie was 16. She would remember forever sitting by his hospital bed and seeing "her father's green eyes clouding over." She dedicated herself to his legacy, read the books he had read, determined to better know the man she so loved. At the same time she wanted to escape her mother's contempt and become meaningful for herself, not as a famous person's daughter. That proved to be a tortuous path as early on she drank far too much, and in time was suffering blackouts. She was sleeping with the wrong people, and eventually married the wrong man. It was only after years of searching and self-recrimination that she was able to admit that she too was an alcoholic, and take her first steps on the road to recovery. For the most part, Lies My Mother Never Told Me is not a happy memoir. In a day when many bury their family secrets this book is remarkable for its candor, the author is unsparing of others and most of all herself. Many struggle in life but few as mightily as Kaylie, thus we find ourselves rejoicing in her victory yet saddened by what she suffered to achieve it. - Gail Cooke
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House Secrets
by
Mike Lawson
Gail Cooke
, August 09, 2009
What a romp it is to read a Joe DeMarco story by Mike Lawson! They're comic, caustic, and chilling. His characters are described so originally that one either shivers or smiles. For instance, describing the overweight cigar chomping Speaker of the House John Fitzpatrick Mahoney poolside in swim trunks and a Hawaiian shirt, Lawson writes, "DeMarco thought he looked like a beluga whale that had crashed a luau." With House Secrets, the fourth in Lawson's Washington based thrillers, DeMarco has been summoned to look into the apparent drowning death of retired congressman Dick Finley's son. Finley claims his newspaper reporter son had leads on one of the hottest stories to hit the Capitol; police believe the newsman died while on a drunken kayak spin in the wee hours. Mahoney simply wanted DeMarco "to turn over a few rocks and see what crawls out." All DeMarco has to begin with is a torn piece of napkin covered with names and dates which was found in the reporter's wallet. After expending time and energy DeMarco thinks all the late newsman had wasn't hot at all but really very cold known news about New York Senator Paul Morelli, the great hope of the Democrats who has a spotless record and seems to be on a fast track to the White House. What Morelli does not have is a supportive wife. Lydia contacts DeMarco accusing her husband of the vilest acts, possibly even murder. But, everyone knows Lydia drinks to excess and drunks don't tell the truth or do they? What started out as looking under a few rocks has left DeMarco trying to discover what is truth and what is not as at the same time he finds himself at odds with Washington bigwigs, the CIA, and mobsters who don't appear to want to take prisoners. This is Lawson's best yet - a wild ride through Washington. - Gail Cooke
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Short Girls
by
Bich Minh Nguyen
Gail Cooke
, July 26, 2009
Alice H. Kennedy who read Nguyen's acclaimed memoir Stealing Buddha's Dinner gives equally appealing voice to Short Girls, the author's first foray into fiction. Born in Saigon Kennedy's voice is distinct, clear and easily segues between characters. A slightly more strident tone identifies older sister Van, and a lighter sound captures Linny. The two girls are not close, perhaps unsurprising since they are so different. Van is a law school graduate whose world abruptly changed after 9/11. First, there is a professional failure when she cannot prevent the deportation of a client, next she suffers a miscarraige, and then the final blow - her husband leaves, simply walks away. Linny, on the other hand is a college dropout who happily works at You Did It Dinners where Moms can come for prepared dinners to freeze. She's a fashionista, devoted to designer duds and all things trendy. But lfe is not rosy for Linny either. Her romance with a married man is headed directly for where most of those arrangements go - nowhere. Each could use a sister's shoulder to cry one but they've been estranged for so long. Then they receive a call from their father, Dinh Luong, a man obsessed by the thought that all Americans are tall while those of Vietnamese heritage are short. In attempts to combat what he considers to be a serious drawback he has invented the Luong Arm, which is intended to help the vertically deprived reach objects which would ordinarily be too high for them to reach. Unfortunately his invention has never caught on. Nonetheless, after 28 years he has decided to become an American citizen in the hope that this will help him sell the Luong Arm. He's the last of his friends to give up his green card and he calls his daughters to come home and celebrate the occasion. Upon arrival they find that they're not only there to celebrate but also to plan the festivities. That's not the only surprise that awaits as the two sisters at first reluctantly then slowly begin to discover each other, and find they have more in common than either had ever dreamed. - Gail Cooke
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