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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
Bettina Domingue has commented on (10) products
Russia The Once & Future Empire from Pre History to Putin
by
Philip Longworth
Bettina Domingue
, October 17, 2017
This is a decent overview, nicely broken into the various empires (Kievan, Muscovite, Romanov, Soviet) that have defined the huge land of Russia and its various satellite territories. In particular, the beginnings of the Russian identity, forged by weather (extreme cold), land (hardship), and culture (Slavic, Viking, Byzantine) are explained well enough so any reader can walk away with a better understanding of why Russia is Russia. I was certainly absorbed. And those rulers, whether Tsars or Empresses or Revolutionaries or Oligarchs, are fascinating.
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Secret History Of Giants
by
Ari Berk
Bettina Domingue
, November 09, 2015
Are there Giants among us? Of course! By the Order of the Golden Quills, this book shows the history of the Secret Folk, aka "Giants". Since we no longer see the Big Ones anymore, this is a handy volume to know what and where to look for hints of where they be. Stonehenge? Who actually believes a bunch of Druids placed "stones" in a circle? I certainly don't. Those are Giant's Teeth, obviously. And mountains...those are the Giants who have fulfilled their life's destiny on earth and have gone into Earthfasting, whereby they sleep and the moss and ivy cover the Long Sleepers. That's why some hills have faces. This is a much needed book to have, so I can be more perceptive on my walks in the Old Lands. I never became bored, for there were secret slots to open and an inundation of information. Worthy. Book Season = Autumn (Earthfasting begins)
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The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England
by
Dan Jones
Bettina Domingue
, November 08, 2015
Lively introduction to an extraordinary family. From Henry II to the downfall of Richard II (the later Plantagenets are saved for the author's next books), we learn all about the great (Henry II, Edward I, Edward III), the bad (John, Edward II, Richard II), and the comme ci-comme ca (Richard I, Henry III). Some of the sentences from Dan Jones are spot-on ("he was susceptible to taking the wrong advice from the wrong people at the wrong time") and history is made accessible. Great read. Book Season = Winter (rubies and furs)
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Bird Artist
by
Howard Norman
Bettina Domingue
, January 12, 2015
There is a latent creepiness about the northeast section of North America (Canada and the U.S.) that seems to bring out the Melvilles and Lovecrafts of the world. Weird. There's a reason the sun decides to set in the West, folks. So I place this book within the gothic chapter of the Atlantic, where fog covers treacherous shoals and madness breeds within shuttered homes. The writing was enjoyable and it was interesting to read about the nutbuckets on that side of the world. My issue is that I simply had no connection to Fabian Vas, the narrator. He doesn't have any get-up-and-go of his own, allowing others to make decisions for him. Even Hamlet had a plan, but not this guy. Drove me crazy. Instead, I looked forward to the descriptions of the birds and the villagers. Perhaps, the vastness of the cold North makes it difficult to exceed one's limitations. Again, nice writing and it did make me want to see Newfoundland. But, but, but...fortress of solitude. Book Season = Winter (icy waves)
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Yosemite's Songster: One Coyote's Story
by
Ginger Wadsworth
Bettina Domingue
, December 12, 2014
Daniel San Souci is one of my favourite illustrators, and I particularly enjoy his wildlife books. This is part of his Yosemite series, along with TWO BEAR CUBS and ANTELOPE, BISON, COUGAR. Here, the focus is solely on the wily Coyote, an animal that has expanded rather than shrunk its range with the growing human housing developments. The book's premise is that Coyote has lost its mate and rambles around Yosemite Nationals Park looking for her mate while the reader learns about the Park's famous iconic areas. Will her mate show up? Is the mate still alive? Small children will like this book, as the drawings are realistic and none of the animals magically speak or do human actions. Book Season = Autumn (beautiful time for Yosemite)
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Making Soaps
by
Paola Romanelli
Bettina Domingue
, July 01, 2012
The chances of me ever sitting down and actually making real soap is probably...well, it's not very likely. So why I picked up this book, I have no idea. It must have been the pretty pictures and the well-bound layout. YET, after reading this in one suddenly absorbed morning, I feel I CAN make soap, and that means this book is a success! Why? Because the author has made it so easy to follow with exact instructions and photos, I think my cat could make soap. The book is broken up in sections, such as SPICY SOAP and MEDICINAL HERB SOAP, which are just yummy. It really is a gorgeous production. In looking at it one more time, I realize it is, in fact, an Italian book, which accounts for the stylishness of the soapy results. I'm sure if I was trying to manufacture soap while renting a snazzy studio in Milano, the results would be stupendous. Cappuccino soap, made with goat milk? Oh yeah. Book Season = Year-Round (preferably in a Mediterranean city)
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The Flight of the Monarch and Other Reflections
by
Michel Braudeau
Bettina Domingue
, December 20, 2011
This was a fascinating read, as the author takes the reader through sections focusing on the Monarch Butterfly, the Swift, the Gnu, the Flea, and other forms of life. The book is a quick read, but it scores by taking mucho information and squaring it down so the reader simply wants to read more. For me, it got me so interested in each subject, that as I finished each chapter, I would then reach for the phone so I could then do a Wiki search to get even more details. Thus, I enjoyed the relationship between the beautiful printed book and the resources of electronic media. I would definitely recommend this book for nature lovers, but also for anyone looking to learn something beyond their own world. It would fit well with the short attention spans of teenagers, perhaps as a book report. Overall, an enjoyable and enlightening read. Book Season = Spring
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Daulaires Book Of Greek Myths
by
Ingri DAulaire
Bettina Domingue
, September 26, 2011
This book looks like a simple re-telling of ancient Greek mythology. And yes, it is that. But what makes this such a treasure is the way they put it together. There is a thread, much as the Fates spun theirs for humans. For example, when the chapter on Theseus concludes, the next chapter starts with the tale of Oedipus meeting Theseus. Thus, we learn the tale of Oedipus. The drawings are simple, but tell the entire story. Instead of focusing on just an illustration of a character, there is a symbol or event happening throughout, so the reader can see Heracles and his various quests. One can see how a child would want to read this over and over, but it's a great read for adults, too. Why? Because all the various gods and goddesses are shown in a two-page illustrated layout, with the Roman versions shown toward the end of the book. For anyone who ever became confused with Zeus and all of his cronies, this simplifies it all and ties it up with one nice Golden Thread.
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(5 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
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Wicked Bugs
by
Amy Stewart
Bettina Domingue
, September 04, 2011
Do not read this book while using public transportation...I missed my train stop because the subject matter kept me completely engrossed. Needless to say, I will never eat pork again and I am slathering myself in mosquito repellent nightly. I have a whole new respect for these mighty bugs and the mayhem they produce. Certainly the chapter on the Brazilian Wandering Spider brought me to rapid attention when the author explains that a passenger almost boarded an international flight with hundreds of these aggressive creatures in his carry on bags. No more aisle seats for me.
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(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
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Paddle to the Sea
by
Holling C Holling
Bettina Domingue
, September 04, 2011
Sometimes a sad ending can lead to later happiness. I found this book the day before Bay Books, an independent bookseller, closed its doors in Concord, California. Perhaps I should say that the book found me. Why would I buy a children's book? It must have been the local book dragon whispering in my ear, for I am grateful for this great find. The author takes us on a trip that starts in the great northern wastes of Canada, and we follow the carved toy through the wilderness and down in to the Great Lakes of the States. Along the way, we find out what the inside of a sawmill looked like and how Lake Superior resembles a wolf's head. Yes, a wolf's head. If the kids want to have more read to them, tell them to go to sleep so you can read the book yourself in peace and quiet. It was sad to see yet another local bookstore leave us, but it brought me great happiness with my last purchase.
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