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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
Tisa has commented on (79) products
Last Ballad
by
Wiley Cash
Tisa
, June 19, 2018
For me this novel was less compelling than Cash’s previous two novels, which I devoured and gave both titles 5 stars. The plight of poverty stricken and single mother Ella May was certainly heartbreaking, and her efforts to bring justice and equality to the mill workers in Gastonia were met with gunfire and dire consequences. But I was somewhat disappointed in the quality of writing in this novel as compared to his other two. The most gripping part of the book were his Acknowledgments and historical background pieces at the end. Tears came easily as I read his tributes and the family connections he has with the Wiggins family. Cash is a fine storyteller, and I look forward to his next one.
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The Mars Room
by
Rachel Kushner
Tisa
, June 12, 2018
I read this book after watching a NYPL interview with the author and learning about her desire to understand and absorb all she could of life in women’s prisons in California. I’m sure many of the details she includes in the novel were factual examples of what life in prison is like for the mostly poor women who end up there. Did you know that women on death row spend their time making sandbags? Ms. Kushner covers a lot of ground—gender issues, motherhood, family, men, solitude, the legal system, etc.—and she drew me into the mind of Romy Hall, her main character. I was also intrigued by Gordon Hauser, the teacher who came to the prison to teach women he was curious about and became obsessed with. And the entries from the journal of Ted Kaczynski were fascinating. I’d like to read more of his diaries. The women in this story are (for the most part) desperate, mentally unstable, poor, uneducated, abused, and doomed from an early age to a life of criminal activity. Romy, however, shows us that they are also mothers who love their children, who fight back, and are capable of surviving the worst that their environment forces on them. Good read.
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How to Write an Autobiographical Novel: Essays
by
Alexander Chee
Tisa
, June 01, 2018
Although the title of Alexander Chee’s latest book implies that it’s a book for writers, don’t be misled if you are a reader and not a writer. The essays in this collection are some of the most personal, honest, and revelatory “stories” you will ever read. And they are told with a skilled writer’s ability to draw in the reader in such a way as to have him/her fully experience the laughter and tears, frustration and joy, and even recall moments in his/her own life that Chee’s memories awaken. His most personal and, I imagine, most difficult-to-write essay is “The Guardians,” in which he relates how he came to remember the traumatic sexual abuse he lived through as a young boy. That experience grew into his first novel—Edinburgh—and I implore you to read it if you haven’t. Other essays reveal his struggle with racial and sexual identities, his father’s early death, financial difficulties throughout his life, the many jobs he worked just to pay rent, the loves of his life, and his love of plants, especially roses. If you are a writer, though, you will learn from his successes and failures at writing, publishing, and teaching, and he gives excellent advice to new writers whose writing difficulties he has experienced himself (and still does). I’m not a writer; I’m a reader. But for me, understanding how a book or novel is created enhances my reading experience, and I appreciate knowing how a writer’s mind and process work. So, I found all those “tips and tricks” fascinating. In “The Guardians,” he says, “We aren’t what we think we are. The stories we tell of ourselves are like thin trails across something that is more like the ocean. A mask afloat on the open sea.” That description alone is enough to captivate any reader. I hope you will treat yourself to the work of Alexander Chee.
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Play It As It Lays
by
Joan Didion
Tisa
, May 17, 2018
Although this novel is “short” by most standards, it requires very close reading, and could (nay should) be read twice in succession. When I finish any book, i always go back and re-read the first chapter or two. You definitely need to do that with this Didion novel. Understand as you begin the story, that Maria is recounting her past life as she lives in an institution for the mentally ill, or for those who don’t function well in society. We learn what has lead to her institutionalization as she relives through dreams and memories the events that have led her to a feeling of isolation, depression, loneliness, and indifference. (No spoilers here.) Maria’s life has been a series of painful events that, along with her realization that the people she associates with live materialistic/meaningless lives, that don’t completely destroy her but reduce her life to uneventful observation of a hummingbird as she gazes at her world from the edge of the institution’s swimming pool. Didion’s prose is precise, riveting, and filled with repetitive images—driving, highways, snakes, drugs—typical of California. This novel is an important part of American literary history.
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The Overstory
by
Richard Powers
Tisa
, May 15, 2018
This book club read was a little intimidating at the start, but after I read the first 50 or so pages, I was hooked! Don't let the 500+ number of pages deter you, because this novel is unlike any other you've read, and it will fascinate you. The careful, well-crafted design of the plot takes the lives of 7 people and weaves them around and through the "lives" of the trees they live, grow, and make history with. The lives of these characters exemplify American life and history from the time their ancestors arrived to the end of the story (no spoilers here). You will learn about trees, the American Northwest, Midwest, NY, and how these characters built lives that revolved around the trees among them, and how the trees' lives were affected by the actions or non-actions of mankind. I learned a lot about the nature of the environment as it relates to trees, as well as the nature of man in response to threats on that environment. The language is beautiful. Every sentence is perfectly worded and reflects the masterful writer that Powers is. His reverence for nature is apparent, and you will come away with a new respect for the lives of trees and those who strive to protect them.
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Slouching Towards Bethlehem
by
Joan Didion
Tisa
, May 01, 2018
This is the second Didion work towards my goal of reading all her work. These brilliant essays were written in the mid-60s, and they are (by now) historical accounts of events, emotions, places, and people that were important to her and to anyone alive at the time or who might be interested in the time. The reader doesn’t need to have been there or to have known about the topics she addresses to appreciate the skill with which she has captured the essence of each. My favorites are the ones about the “hippie” movement in CA, her love/hate relationship with NYC, her memories of home, morality, and the general comments about her life and that of her ancestors in California. Joan Didion is simply one of the world’s finest living writers.
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The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
by
Michael Finkel
Tisa
, April 25, 2018
I bought this book as a birthday gift for my 11yo grandson. School Library Journal reviewed it and recommended it for teens. He’s an advanced reader, so I thought he would enjoy it since he’s interested in how to survive in the woods. I’m glad I read it first because I’ve changed my mind and decided it’s not appropriate for a child this young. It’s mostly about the psychology of being a hermit and what may have caused Christopher Knight to live alone in the woods for almost 30 years. He didn’t use survival skills except for his expertise at stealing what he needed and knowing how to hide and get around stealthily. It’s an interesting, well-written account of one individual, and I enjoyed the quick read. Perhaps my grandson will read it in about 5 years.
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Run River
by
Joan Didion
Tisa
, April 19, 2018
This is the first novel by Didion that I have read, but after watching the Netflix documentary “The Center Will Not Hold,” I have set a goal to read all her books in chronological order. (Although I have read her last two books—The Year of Magical Thinking and. Blue Nights.) I finished this one yesterday and have been pondering it. I feel as if I read a Tennessee Williams novel set in California—the sweltering heat, the lying on cool sheets, the family conflicts and allegiance/non-allegiance, the landscape and its history, the inter-mingling of sexual partners, the suicide, the anger, the impetuous murder, the pleading, the parental deaths. Oh, my goodness. Of course, those elements are common in most dramatic writing, but this California novel felt very southern to me. It’s impressive! And I do enjoy and appreciate her style, naturally. Looking forward to more Didion works.
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Half Mammals of Dixie
by
George Singleton
Tisa
, April 15, 2018
George Singleton is a master at humorous storytelling. He will keep readers laughing and cringing at the hilariously clever situations that must be based on truths because “you can’t make this sh*t up.” He understands human nature and what makes us vulnerable, as well as what lengths we will go to to deceive one another, only to end up caught in the act. He’s considered a southern writer because he hails from Spartanburg, SC, and many of his stories are set in that deeply southern town. However, his people and situations should be read and appreciated by readers everywhere. Treat yourself to some George Singleton stories as soon as you can.
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An American Marriage
by
Tayari Jones
Tisa
, March 11, 2018
Few books have left me as stunned, tearful, appreciative, and awestruck by the author's insight and skill as this book left me. I loved Silver Sparrow and was expecting another great read, but An American Marriage hit me with the power of a sledgehammer and the softness of a feather. Ms. Jones' reveals a meticulous plot, and she precisely depicts the volatility that can propel a marriage or deep relationship into chaos or solidify it to stone. The novel is so well-crafted that you will think you're reading non-fiction. I won't summarize the story here, but the reader will long remember Celestial's dilemma, Roy's perseverance, and Andre's devotion as iconic examples of these human emotions. If there's a list of unforgettable literary relationships, this triangle should be added to it. I'm thrilled that Oprah chose this one for her book club, because that means more readers will experience the masterful writing talent of Tayari Jones. Highly recommended!
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Sisters
by
Lily Tuck
Tisa
, February 12, 2018
Lily Tuck is one of my favorite writers, and I was excited to see a new book by her. However, in my opinion this slim volume is a short story, not a novel, and I was disappointed in that I was hoping for a longer work. Although I have never been divorced, I think I would be exactly like this woman and be obsessed with the other wife and the details of the husband’s previous marriage. Her interest is debilitating for her and the marriage, of course. The reader suspects that it can’t end well, and our suspicions are correct. Some people just can’t help themselves.
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Breakfast with Buddha
by
Roland Merullo
Tisa
, February 05, 2018
This is my book club’s choice for February, and once again a book I would not have chosen. However, I was pleasantly surprised by its entertainment value and the author’s engaging style. The book reads like non-fiction in that the first person POV is convincing and filled with believable details that don’t overwhelm the reader. I appreciated the “food for thought” that Otto and Rinpochet provide in their lively discussions about religion, philosophy, and life as an American. Because Otto is separated from his family, he reflects on his home life, children, wife, and work, allowing us to take a look at ourselves in a similar way. This is a quick read with shortish chapters that clip along nicely. It’s a book you can recommend to anyone who reads!
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The Heart's Invisible Furies
by
John Boyne
Tisa
, January 31, 2018
I found this story to be both engaging and somewhat off-putting. Cyril's life was certainly heartbreaking with moments of joy, but I was put off by what was one too many seemingly contrived events. I can just see Boyne "doing the math" and counting back every seven years from 2001 just so he could get a bit about 9/11 in there. I think I am often a cynical reader, and I don't take to a tidy ending most of the time. I enjoyed the book, but I liked "A Little Life" better. It was much sadder, of course, but I tend to be attracted to dysfunction more than reconciliation. My favorite parts were the rapid fire conversations that Cyril and other characters had that often sounded like an Abbott and Costello "Who's on First" comedy sketch. Boyne is great at dialog. And I was amused by the insistent use of "adoptive" by Charles and Maude, and then by Cyril himself. Boyne's characterizations were spot-on when I think of the Irish, although I assume they're stereotypical--on purpose. There are events in the lives of these gay characters that are very true-to-life, and we have all heard of the horrible treatment and secrecy that the gay population still endures, so there is plenty of sadness and frustration in these characters' lives. But Boyne approaches these experiences with honesty without overwhelming the reader with debilitating tragedy. It's a relatively quick read in spite of the 600 pages, and I'm glad to have read it.
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Silver Sparrow
by
Tayari Jones
Tisa
, November 13, 2017
This was my choice for the book club pick this month. I read this novel when it first came out and l love it even more now. The voices of the characters are true, and the situation, though seemingly unlikely, actually happened in our family. At a funeral for one of our great uncles, two families showed up, neither one aware of the other. How bizarre! I was hoping for a different ending, but this one is more plausible. I hope you get a chance to read this gripping story.
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The Burning Girl
by
Claire Messud
Tisa
, October 27, 2017
The Burning Girl looks at female friendship, family strife, adolescent coming-of-age, and secret-keeping from the POV of a teenage girl whose life is impacted by how these elements of her best friend's life affect her own. This quietly powerful story moves slowly but with a steady build-up to the tragic ending. I don't think that's a spoiler statement because the reader knows from the beginning that tragedy is inevitable. Julia is a very mature-minded young woman, and she tells the story of her friendship with Cassie from a distance of only two years. And that is my only criticism of the writing. Julia's analysis of their relationship and her detailed memories seem to be those of a person who is looking back after many years later and after many years of pondering and examining every word, thought, and action. I would recommend this book to teenagers--girls and boys--as well as adult readers for its insight into the deep relationships that adolescent girls can form.
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The Burning Girl
by
Claire Messud
Tisa
, October 27, 2017
The Burning Girl looks at female friendship, family strife, adolescent coming-of-age, and secret-keeping from the POV of a teenage girl whose life is impacted by how these elements of her best friend's life affect her own. This quietly powerful story moves slowly but with a steady build-up to the tragic ending. I don't think that's a spoiler statement because the reader knows from the beginning that tragedy is inevitable. Julia is a very mature-minded young woman, and she tells the story of her friendship with Cassie from a distance of only two years. And that is my only criticism of the writing. Julia's analysis of their relationship and her detailed memories seem to be those of a person who is looking back after many years later and after many years of pondering and examining every word, thought, and action. I would recommend this book to teenagers--girls and boys--as well as adult readers for its insight into the deep relationships that adolescent girls can form.
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Little Fires Everywhere
by
Celeste Ng
Tisa
, October 18, 2017
It took me more than half of this book to feel its grip, but once the emotions and storyline sucked me in, I was trapped inside the dramatic exploration of family ties and breaks, of freedom and confinement, of truth and lies. If I had teenagers who were willing, I would urge them to read this novel for its realistic portrayal of the struggle to grow up, to face responsibility, to seek help and guidance from trusted adults, and to see a side of adult problems they may not have thought to consider. Similarly, adult readers can find insight into the complex lives and problems of teenagers. Both the teens and the adults make huge mistakes that impact one another or will for the rest of their lives. Throughout the story and to the end, some mistakes are reconciled, but some continue to cause pain. If you're reading this novel now and aren't as involved as you'd like to be, just keep reading.
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The Handmaid's Tale
by
Margaret Atwood
Tisa
, October 13, 2017
I read this novel when it was published in 1998, and I gladly reread it for book club this month. The thoughtful detail that Atwood went into mystified me all over again. She addressed a myriad of women's issues with terrifying accuracy--love and lust, family and friendship, choice and force, memory and forgetting, age and youth, reality and imagination. A few concepts that drew my attention were 1) "Nobody dies from lack of sex. It's lack of love we die from;" 2) "A man is just a woman's strategy for making other women:" 3) "What made us feel we deserved it?" 4) "Better never means better for everyone. It always means worse for some;" 5) "A rat in a maze is free to go anywhere as long as he stays in the maze," 6) "You can't help how you feel, but you can help how you behave," and, of course, 7) "Nolite te bastardes carborundrum." The Handmaid's Tale is a dense, thought-provoking dystopian novel that deserves a reader's full attention. Find yourself a quiet place to devour it.
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Mrs Fletcher
by
Tom Perrotta
Tisa
, September 23, 2017
"Mrs. Fletcher" sounds like the name of a prim and proper middle-age woman, maybe a bun and comfortable shoes (Librarian, maybe? I can say that because I am one.). But like Perrotta's other novels, titles are often deceiving when it comes to what's inside. When Eve is left alone after a divorce and a son off to college, her exploits as a single woman come close to knowing no bounds. With wit, humor, sarcasm, and adept skill, Perrotta tells her story and her son Brendan's. The narrator switches from third person to first when Brendan speaks, and that's a nice change of pace. The tone is less than dire, so we know nothing horrible is going to happen to anyone, but what we and they experience along the way is more than simply a series of humorous escapades. I enjoyed this story, as I have several others by this author. I think you will, too.
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Big Little Lies
by
Liane Moriarty
Tisa
, September 16, 2017
This was book#3 for my new book club. I had seen the excellent HBO series based on the book so was slightly prejudicial towards the series. However, the book was very good and kept my attention. There were some very obvious additions to the HBO version that were not part of the book, and the location was vastly different but still similar enough. However, the majority of the content was the same in both iterations. The characters are believable and the plot lines are intriguing. Recommended.
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Living in the Weather of the World Stories
by
Richard Bausch
Tisa
, August 21, 2017
Just when you think Richard Bausch couldn't possibly write another gripping, visceral, masterful work of fiction, he comes out with an astonishing collection of stories that prove once again that he's one of the finest writers living today. I've read nearly every one of his books and own signed first editions of many of them. I've heard him read and speak several times at the biennial Conference on Southern Literature in Chattanooga, TN. That said, I am obviously a huuuge fan! These stories of love, violence, betrayal, and conflict accurately explain the title. We are all living in the weather of the world and all we can do is try to cope and adapt to whatever comes our way and hope we survive the storms. Pay attention to the details or you'll miss the subtle crafting that is his signature. I recommend that you listen to his interview on the Bookworm podcast. He's a gentle soul with a powerful pen.
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Woman No. 17
by
Edan Lepucki
Tisa
, August 02, 2017
"I had two of everything: two bedrooms, two favorite stuffed animals, two computers. There were also two Esthers: the one my dad took care of, and the one who took care of my mom." Family secrets, a dysfunctional mother, a famous photographer in the family, a divorce, a separation, a mysterious photograph, a needy two-year-old, a mute teenage boy, and a weird babysitter who drinks too much and wants to become her incompetent mom all combine to make this an intriguing tale of moral hide and seek. Esther renames herself "S," and she turns these interrelated, emotionally fragile families inside out. And just in case you didn't know, mutism doesn't mean non-communicative. Great read!
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A Man Called Ove
by
Fredrik Backman
Tisa
, July 20, 2017
This was the second book in our new book club's picks, and I have to say that is the only reason I read it. I've seen it on shelves and in a friend's home, but it isn't the reading challenge that I prefer. Some reviews call it "hilarious," but I found it more like "amusing." We all know someone like Ove, or at least I do, and that makes him a believable character. I think the only thing that made this book different from other books about grumpy old widowers is the string of misfortunes that made Ove a curmudgeon. It's "heartwarming" and "heartbreaking," and if you like stories that you can pick up and put down while you're doing something else, this is that book. I know I'm in the minority on this one, but that's why we often look at reviews before we choose our next read. PS--Amazon Prime has the subtitled film version that sticks very close to the book.
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The Weight of This World
by
David Joy
Tisa
, July 09, 2017
This heartbreaking and gut wrenching and gruesome story captured me from the first chapter to the traumatic last chapter. David Joy's novel will remind the reader of thar the horrors of war and childhood trauma are remarkably similar and often have equally traumatizing effects. Author Joy channels Cormac McCarthy and Southern writers whose sense of place takes on its own identity and influence. I had not read this author until now, but I look forward to more from him in my reading life.
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Crimes Against a Book Club
by
Kathy Cooperman
Tisa
, June 26, 2017
This debut novel was the first selection for a new book club I joined. I was pleasantly surprised that the book was entertaining and somewhat well-written as I don't usually choose this type of fiction. ( Some might call it a beach read or chick lit.) You can read a summary of the plot elsewhere, so I will say that the story is certainly unique, and the characters are believable, but some of their actions aren't so believable--particularly the mother/grandmother who is wildly irreverent in every way. The reader will have to suspend disbelief to some degree in order to accept many of the events that occur, but this is fiction, so just go with it. One of my favorite parts of the book were the chapter introductions that referenced other widely-read books that had some element that was comparable to a character's dilemma or a plot point. (I had read most of them, as you probably have, too.) Anyway, if you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, this one will fit the bill.
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The Book of Joan
by
Lidia Yuknavitch
Tisa
, June 05, 2017
I loved this book from start to finish. I didn't understand every nuance; I got lost in the changes of POV; I had to reread many pages. But this brilliant re-telling of Joan of Arc's story is one for our time and future. My curiosity was stirred by the imaginative place, by the artistic skin grafting, and by the unrelenting pursuit of love and its preservation. One of my favorite passages is--"The will to live is so strong. I feel the sporadic waves in my ears; the blasted song in my head is receding but not leaving. I want her story back. The one that was taken from her and replaced with heretic. Eco-terrorist. Murderous maiden who made the earth scream. I want to use my body to get it."
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The Leavers
by
Lisa Ko
Tisa
, May 28, 2017
Finding ones place and breaking away from parents is hard enough when you're brought up in your country of birth, by your birth parents, speaking the native language. But creating an identity and a home when two different cultures and two loving families compete for your allegiance makes the choice nearly impossible. Deming becomes Daniel; Daniel becomes Deming; China and America, particularly NYC, vie for his loyalty. In the Leavers, Lisa Ko portrays this struggle with heart and realism, taking the reader into the very different lives and cultures that enrich the life of Deming Guo/Daniel Wilkinson. I was absorbed by his story from the beginning.
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Fever Dream
by
Samanta Schweblin
Tisa
, May 01, 2017
"'It happens, Amanda. We're in the country, there are sown fields all around us. People come down with things all the time, and if they survive they end up strange.'" This incredible little novel will scare you, make you think twice about spraying crops, and hold you glued to your seat. Take a couple of hours and read it straight through as it was intended. There are no chapters to break the momentum--it's relentless. I read it twice to be able to fully follow the speakers and their stories. I could easily read it a third time and glean even more. Lead in the water in Flint, MI is a similarly terrifying situation and very real. This environmental disaster could happen anywhere.
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Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
by
J.D. Vance
Tisa
, April 25, 2017
The "moral" of Vance's story of growing up as a hillbilly in eastern Kentucky and rural Ohio is very evident--an individual's success often depends on the help and encouragement of others and the belief that failure can be a temporary condition. Although his turbulent childhood was steeped in daily exposure to violence, drugs, fear, a stream of his mother's men friends, a lack of parental supervision, and low self-esteem, Vance proves that for him the American Dream was attainable with help from people like his Mamaw, Papaw, sister, teachers, friends, and the US Marine Corps. This is an uplifting memoir, but Vance reminds the reader that hundreds of thousands of children just like him grow up in poverty even though they are part of white, working-class America. He was one of the lucky ones, and he makes sure his readers remember that.
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4 3 2 1
by
Paul Auster
Tisa
, April 16, 2017
There are few living authors that I savor from beginning to end, but Paul Auster is one of the most delicious. He always writes with a new perspective, a never heard before voice, a plot that captures me every time. 4 3 2 1 did not disappoint. There are 4 Archie Fergusons whose lives are different as a result of a chance incident, poor timing, bad decision-making, or the luck of the draw. In an interview that I watched on YouTube, Auster said that he has always been intrigued by the haphazardness of life--how one small event or one misstep can alter one's future forever. That's the point of this 866-page account of the four Fergusons. One review called it long-winded, but I say NO! The prose reads smoothly and draws the reader into each life, the details of history, the people we meet, the loves won and lost. The story cannot be reduced simply because the book might be too long for some. Auster says it's not an autobiography, but he has incorporated many aspects of his own life and knowledge, making this a story I can imagine he loved telling. His knowledge of baseball, living in France, being a translator and a lover of classic literature, and being a New Yorker all play a part in the Fergusons' lives. A few times I found myself holding back tears as I anticipated what would come next. I took my time reading and re-reading, making sure I was following each Archie from chapter to chapter. Admittedly, the book's format requires the reader's attention, so make sure you do it and you justice by giving it the time it deserves. Don't spoil the story by reading too many reviews. Just go with the flow, as they say, and let yourself be entertained and enriched.
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Imagine Me Gone
by
Adam Haslett
Tisa
, April 04, 2017
Mental illness truly affects every member of a family when just one member, let alone two, is afflicted with this invisible yet debilitating disease. Haslett describes how a father and son's mental illness touches, embraces, and strangles the lives of these five family members. One particularly descriptive passage is Michael's comments on his family's medical history. He says, "In brief, Dad didn't make it; Mom's never taken a pill in her life; Alec had an ulcer early on, when they were still fashionable, but has since transitioned into the back-pain industry; and I'd guestimate Celia's chronic fatigue peaked around '94 somewhere in the Bay Area...." Michael's relationship with his doctor and the prescription drugs he takes/has taken are fairly typical of most people who suffer from mental illness. In this novel we get to see, through their own eyes, how each person copes with (or doesn't) having a father/husband and brother/son whose lives are fraught with fear, anxiety, hopelessness, and insomnia. Haslett has experienced this tragedy in his own family, and the accuracy of his character portrayals are evidence of that. This is an excruciatingly sad story, but one that is repeated in many families every year. He tells it with heart without being melodramatic.
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Dime
by
Kathleen Kent
Tisa
, April 04, 2017
"In almost every case while working undercover, I wore a wig. And a few times, in those instances, I'd been mistaken for a high-end tranny: tall, lean, muscular, attitude to spare. Once, while I was arresting a drug dealer who was wearing an evening gown, the transgendered beauty had stared with admiration at my neck. 'Damn, honey,' she'd drawled. 'I want the name of the surgeon that got your Adam's apple so small.'" This is one of the many clever lines in Kent's police thriller, starring female lesbian cop Elizabeth (Betty) Rhyzyk. I don't read many police dramas, but I'm glad I read this one. The writing is top notch and the plot(s) are engaging and suspenseful. Betty is an unforgettable, tough, tender, and triumphant female who succeeds despite the sexist world she lives and works in. She's not immune to making mistakes, but she learns from them and from the cops in her family who inspire her long after they've passed on. If I could change anything, I'd change her name. "Betty" just doesn't live up to her strength.
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Only Love Can Break Your Heart
by
Ed Tarkington
Tisa
, January 17, 2016
I'm a sucker for a debut novel published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. They have published some of my most treasured authors, and Ed Taekington is on his way to becoming one. This novel is a coming-of-age story told as a memory of the now-grown 8yo boy whose half-brother was the center of his universe. The plot contains elements of a Southern Gothic, Southern humor, family relationships, mores, music, and sex. The unpretentious language and plain, everyday lives give this novel a realistic, believable feel. The events and people are ones we can recognize from our own lives or from people we've known. Their struggles are real. There are surprises, losses, heartbreak, and joy. "Only Love" is a very good read.
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Outer Dark
by
Cormac McCarthy
Tisa
, January 10, 2016
Cormac McCarthy isn't for everyone, so I understand why he gets less than 5 stars from most readers. I, however, love his stories. They're dark, bold, outrageous, filled with convoluted sentences and over-described scenes, people, and events, and jump every boundary of socially acceptable behavior. This novel is all of those things. I especially love his characters and their dialect and language, which he knows with precision. My heart broke for this woman, Rinthy, whose brother fathered her baby then left the baby to die. And Holme, the brother, is himself a sympathetic character, one who is accosted at every turn as he desperately tries to find work and his runaway sister in an effort to make up for his horrendous actions. What can I say? I love a gut-wrenching story of human frailties and struggle.
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Love & Treasure
by
Ayelet Waldman
Tisa
, January 03, 2016
A friend loaned me this book, and I wasn't too excited about it at first, but the more I read the better it became. The story is based in a true historical event--the Hungarian Gold Train--that contained the possessions of nearly 5 million Hungarian Jews who were taken to Auschwitz. But the story has multiple levels, all tied together by the lost and found enameled peacock pendant and the search for its owner. Perhaps my favorite chapter comes close to the end and is set in Austria in 1913. Nina is rebellious suffragette whose psychoanalysis is indicative of its time--anti-feminist and accusative. She's a terrific character! If you like historical fiction that's well-written, you will like this one.
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A Wild Swan and Other Tales
by
Michael Cunningham and Yuko Shimizu
Tisa
, December 31, 2015
This little collection of re-imagined fairy tales has everything going for it--a masterful writer's creative imagination, classic fairy tales as a foundation, and well-crafted prose that will make you laugh, exclaim with wonder, and never read fairy tales the same way again. I loved every story and hope you will take a little time to treat yourself to this unique look at our well-worn tales. This is storytelling at its finest. Highly recommended!
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Blood Meridian
by
Cormac McCarthy
Tisa
, November 19, 2015
Cormac McCarthy is one of my favorite authors, and I always find something new each time I read one of his books. This was my second time to read BM. His stories are not-for-the-faint-of-heart in that the brutality in the man vs man conflict is an essential part of many of his plots, and this one is certainly exemplary. His characters are iconic archetypes that you won't soon forget. And when you hear people quote, "They move on," you'll know where the quote originated. Reviews that I read said to listen to the audio book read by Richard Poe, so I have that one to pick up from my library today!
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The Blazing World
by
Siri Hustvedt
Tisa
, November 03, 2015
I won't give any spoilers here, but I will say that there is a brilliantly clever and skillfully crafted ending to this novel that is indicative of Siri Hustevedt's equally brilliant, clever, and skilled craftsmanship as a writer. The careful development of plot and characters speaks to her masterful ability to thoroughly draw in the reader with her precise revelation of thought and action. I can see her diagramming the events of the story and drawing character lines that intersect with plot development. Her knowledge of the commercial art world, literature, psychology, and human nature lend a high degree of believability to the novel. This book is not for those who want a quick, light read. Be prepared to think, remember, and learn from this writer. Highly recommended.
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M Train
by
Patti Smith
Tisa
, October 25, 2015
I don't read many memoirs, but after I watched the live stream of Patti Smith's interview at the New York Public Library, I knew I had to read M Train. She says the book is about "nothing," but this book is about everything--loss, love, friendship, family, habits, art, artists, longings, regrets, and drinking lots of black coffee both alone and with others. Her language is poetic, as we would expect from a poet and songwriter, and she transforms everyday occurrences into memorable events from a life lived well but simply. I plan to read some of the writers she mentions as favorites and whose burial sites she visits repeatedly. If you read only one memoir this year, I hope it's this one.
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Little Sister Death
by
William Gay
Tisa
, October 18, 2015
William Gay was a masterful Tennessee writer, and I own several of his signed first editions. This novel was discovered and put together for publication, and I understand there are more to come. Although I enjoyed this story of a well known Tennessee haunting, I did not find it as riveting as others he has written. The writing is impeccable, as expected, but the story itself lacked the "can't put down" quality of his other books. (Makes me wonder if he would have wanted it published.) I still give it four stars, though, because the prose is beautiful and the revelations of back country people and culture is insightful and very accurate.
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Double Life of Liliane
by
Lily Tuck
Tisa
, October 07, 2015
Lily Tuck is one of my favorite writers, and I think she's written this book "as an act of self-restoration in which the author recovers the fragments of his or her life into a coherent narrative." (Spoken by Liliane's favorite literature professor in high school.) The book often reads like a series of fragments, interspersed with anecdotes that Liliane, the budding writer, invents as she tells what might be a true Tuck family story. Tuck includes old photographs and documents from her own collection, and those elements give credence to the autobiographical aspects of the story, while at the same time reveal the inventive imagination of a child who can fabricate a story from a family photo. I found myself looking up names and events to verify which were true, and many are accurate accounts. But at times the story felt a tad like the weaving of history in Forrest Gump's story--only more literary. The Library of Congress has classed the book as fiction, so read it that way and disregard the fact that the life of this fictional Liliane often doubles as the life of Lily Tuck. It's a lovely read.
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Above the Waterfall
by
Ron Rash
Tisa
, October 04, 2015
"As I step out of the trees, a hollow crunch beneath my boot. Cicada slough. What a gift to shed one's old self so easily." Two characters, two cicadas, who wish they could shed their old selves--old memories, experiences, faults, fears--share this story in distinctly different voices. Becky is a park ranger, a poet, wrestling with a traumatic childhood memory, and Les is a soon-to-retire small-town sheriff, an observant painter, struggling with a guilt-ridden conscience from a broken marriage. Rash intertwines their pasts and presents with a modern crime story set in the mountains of North Carolina. This novel is a testament to his skill as a writer as he lyrically describes the natural world in Becky's poetic language, while at the same time using bold, no-holds-barred depictions of a sheriff's encounters with meth addicts and criminal behavior. His masterful dialog, convincing plot, and accurate setting place this (and his other stories) high on the list of American authors to hold in high esteem.
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Fates and Furies
by
Lauren Groff
Tisa
, September 29, 2015
Honestly, I didn't expect this book to be that good. The marketing seemed to classify it as chick lit or beach reading, but it's far from that. The complicated plot, the revelations, the secrets, the stolen stories, the struggle to create art and be an artist, the influence of family and friends on one's choices, and the fates we endure because of the furies that follow us all contribute to one fascinating, enthralling story. Lotto and Mathilde are tortured souls who's love for each other both creates and destroys them. Highly recommended.
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Did You Ever Have A Family
by
Bill Clegg
Tisa
, September 13, 2015
"She closes her eyes and listens. No one calls her name, there are no more footsteps behind her, but still she turns around....She takes a long, late-day look at the town where she has lived her whole life, where there are no friends, no family, but where her feet are famous to the sidewalks." A horrific tragedy can bring about pain, guilt, anger, fear, doubt, panic, and numbness, and the characters in this tragic novel experience all of these emotions but in varying degrees of intensity. There are several types of families represented, and each one has a unique part to play in the drama. The definition of "family" expands as the story progresses. Chapters jump from past to present, character to character, and I found myself re-reading to make sure I was remembering correctly, but that technique is a successful one after the first few chapters. When you finish the book, go back and read the first couple of chapters again for a clearer understanding of plot points. (I do that with every book.) This novel is long-listed for the Booker Prize.
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Bull Mountain
by
Brian Panowich
Tisa
, August 29, 2015
If you're a fan of Cormac McCarthy, Wiley Cash, Elmore Leonard, James Dickey, William Gay, or Ron Rash, you must read this riveting, skillfully crafted, debut novel by a writer who is sure to make lots of readers forget whatever else they were doing. "'Family,' the old man said to no one. The word hung in a puff of frozen breath before dissipating into the early morning fog. Riley Burroughs used that word the same way a master carpenter used a hammer. Sometimes he just used a gentle tap to nudge one of his kin toward his way of thinking, but sometimes he used it with all the subtlety of a nine-pound sledge.'" Highly recommended.
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Cure for Suicide A Novel
by
Jesse Ball
Tisa
, August 22, 2015
What a fascinating, confusing, mesmerizing, and haunting story this is! The plot plays with memory, time, relationships, control, and what it means to be human. I had to re-read several sections that required more concentration that what I had at the moment, but after finishing the novel, I want to go back and read the whole incredible book again. If you're a fan of The Handmaid's Tale and Never Let Me Go, you will like this one. Highly recommended!
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Girl Who Slept with God
by
Val Brelinski
Tisa
, August 19, 2015
"Her father cleared his throat. 'Yes, of course, we should say yes to God. But first we have to be sure that it is indeed God who is making the request.'" This debut novel will draw you in in spite of some of the melodrama that creeps into the plot. In some ways, the title should be--The Sister of the Girl Who Slept with God--for much of the plot centers around 14yo Jory's coming-of-age while her world is falling apart. Her famtily members--a young, curious sister; a scientist father; a depressed mother; and a gullible but strong-willed older sister--challenge Jory in their unique ways to cope with the changes her pregnant sister has brought to their lives. Add a kind, generous mother-like neighbor and a beguiling hippie who drives an ice cream truck, and the plot thickens. There's a lot to ponder in this one--science, religion, family, independence, and loyalty. It's worth your time.
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Wallcreeper
by
Nell Zink
Tisa
, July 31, 2015
After reading her novel, Mislaid, I wanted to go back and read this first one. It's an enjoyable, fast read that illustrates her quick wit, biting humor, insight into male/female relationships, and even educates with descriptions and sequences about birding and environmentalism. The sexual escapades are quite graphic, often hilarious, sometimes touching, and always bold. I'm waiting on novel #3!
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I Saw a Man
by
Owen Sheers
Tisa
, July 01, 2015
Owen Sheers is a brilliant writer! His style is exactly what I look for--intelligent, literary without being stuffy, careful, picturesque, and enthralling. The title of the book has multiple meanings--the drone pilot, little 4yo Lucy, Michael, Josh, and Samantha all see "a man," but each man defines his or her life. The loss of a loved one is at the heart of the story, but the intrigue surrounding the cause of death and the aftermath makes the story one you won't want to stop reading. The narrator describes these losses as "amputated love."
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The Daylight Marriage
by
Heidi Pitlor
Tisa
, July 01, 2015
This was a fascinating study of a marriage that might be one that was "doomed from the start." These two people are complete opposites and not in a good way; that is, they don't "complete" each other. So, when Hannah leaves Lovell, we are not surprised. What surprised me were the choices that she made after she left. Seriously, do women today still fall for that kind of stuff, considering all the creeps in the world who prey on vulnerable women? I thought she was smarter than that. The family dynamics of the father, teenage daughter, and young son are realistic and quite engaging. The daughter's relationship with the gay couple next door is an unexpected element.
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Mislaid
by
Nell Zink
Tisa
, June 21, 2015
A friend recommended this book, not because she enjoyed it, but because she said, "Since you love dysfunctional family stories so much, you'd probably like this one." She was right. Peggy and Lee have a relationship that's unique in most literature about marriage and family, and though it's rife with bad decisions, unorthodox parenting, and bold deception, we are fascinated by how all these negative elements come together in a well-crafted story of love, forgiveness, and perseverance. Nell Zink is a skillful writer, and I look forward to reading more from her.
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The Book of Aron
by
Jim Shepard
Tisa
, June 14, 2015
I'm drawn to stories narrated by children, especially when the children are threatened or suffering or overcoming trauma. Aron is one such child, who tells his tale of persecution and becoming an orphan in the Warsaw ghetto as if every child faced such terrors. His innocence, his unsentimental tone, and his charm make him an unforgettable character in this heartbreaking story, based on true events. Put it on your TBR list.
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People in the Trees
by
Hanya Yanagihara
Tisa
, June 02, 2015
If a man is recognized as a genius but does horrific things, is he still a genius? If he wins the Nobel Prize, do his despicable actions negate his accomplishments? Is a breakthrough scientific discovery worth more than the lives that are negatively affected by the impact of that chain of events? I was totally absorbed by this tale of science, psychology, anthropology, and crime, skillfully crafted in this debut novel and inspired by true events and people. You'll be reminded of Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible, and Patchett's Stare of Wonder, but you'll never forget Dr. Perina's story.
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A Little Life
by
Hanya Yanagihara
Tisa
, May 21, 2015
It will be a challenge to find another book this year that surpasses this one for engulfing me in its unimaginable and unforgettable story, characters, language, and emotional grip. Jude will become an iconic character, and his relationships--both with friends and enemies--will never be forgotten. "As assaulting as his memories were, his life coming back to him in pieces, he knew he would endure them if it meant he could also have friends, if he kept being granted the ability to take comfort in others." You'll be in tears by the end.
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God Help the Child
by
Toni Morrison
Tisa
, May 02, 2015
"Memory is the worst thing about healing" Toni Morrison wastes no words in this brief but searing novel about the impact of childhood trauma on the adults who live through and with it. As in all her books, she writes of tragedy, love, racism, abuse, and human fraility with succinct but lyrical language. I wanted to read this book longer than it took, so I read slowly, parsing the chapters to last over the seven days of a week. A second reading will be done in one sitting.
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Goodhouse
by
Peyton Marshall
Tisa
, April 27, 2015
This first novel moves along pretty quickly and kept my interest and is well-written, but the idea is not new and reminded me of a better book, Never Let Me Go. Teens who enjoy reading would like this one, I think. Peyton Marshall was inspired by memoirs written by men who survived living in a juvenile rehab facility in CA--the Preston School of Industry--that operated for 117 years. She mentions this in her "Acknowledgements" at the end of the book. Now, I want to go read those memoirs.
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Hausfrau
by
Jill Alexander Essbaum
Tisa
, April 11, 2015
"It's an otherworldly moment when the curtains behind which a lie has been hiding are pulled apart. When the slats on the blinds are forced open and a slash of truth explodes into the room. You can feel the crazing of the air. Light shatters every lie's glass. You have no choice but to confess." Anna is a "good wife, mostly," but the lies she tells herself, her husband, her children, her lovers, and her friends make her life less than livable and more than chaotic. Her behavior begins in boredom and ends in grief and tragedy for herself and all whose lives she touches. Ms. Essbaum says she was inspired by Madame Bovary more than Anna Karenina, but Hausfrau is a story all its own. Don't be fooled by the pretty book cover. Though told with masterful language and well-crafted plot lines, this novel is anything but "pretty." Highly recommended.
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The Whites
by
Harry Brandt
Tisa
, March 25, 2015
I read very little "crime" fiction, but when Richard Price writes one, I'm there! He makes me feel as if im standing at the scene of every stabbing, shooting, and choking crime that happens. But he's equally strong in his ability to call forth the reader's sympathy, sense of humor, fear, and relief. Price knows NYC cops--their language, their habits, their faults, and their strengths, and he tells their stories of dealing with criminals, families, and everyday tasks with authenticity. This is another masterpiece of police work you won't want to miss. (less)
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The Buried Giant
by
Kazuo Ishiguro
Tisa
, March 19, 2015
"It's simply this, princess. Should Querig really die and the mist begin to clear. Should memories return, and among them of times I disappointed you. Or yet of dark deeds I may once have done to make you look at me and see no longer the man you do now. Promise me this at least. You'll not forget what you feel in your heart for me at this moment. For what good's a memory's returning from the mist if it's only to push away another? Promise to keep what you feel for me this moment always in your heart, no matter what you see once the mist's gone."--from this beautiful, adult fairy tale filled with Giants, ogres, a she-dragon, Knights, and one old couple bound by their love and the need to see their only son again. It was a very good tale.
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Danish Girl
by
David Ebershoff
Tisa
, March 10, 2015
This is a touching, heart-wrenching, unique love story between two artists, one a portrait painter and the other a landscape artist. Einar Wegener was the first man to surgically transform into Lili, the woman he always was inside, and Gerta is his wife who "knew first" and was his emotional support during the transformation. Ebershoff says his fictionalized version is loosely based on their lives, but the reader is drawn into their world and feels their love every step of the way. The film version will be released this year and stars Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe, and in this casting, I feel sure Lili and Einar will be portrayed with the emotional intensity that Ebershoff intended. You still have time to read this unforgettable novel before you see the film.
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Ruby
by
Cynthia Bond
Tisa
, March 05, 2015
Once again Oprah has chosen a story of an abused and downtrodden woman who's rescued by a good man who overlooks her past and personality flaws. But this telling is lyrical, haunting, and well worth the read. Ruby's ghostly visits are particularly fascinating and add an unforgettable element to Ruby's character. This is a first novel, but it's masterfully written, and I hope Ms. Bond graces us with another one very soon.
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How To Be Both
by
Ali Smith
Tisa
, February 25, 2015
This book needs your attention in order to fully appreciate the time sequences, the monologues, stream of consciousness, and poetic passages. Two readings would likely be helpful, and I'll put it on my TBRA list. Its two story sections subtly interconnect, but I think each could stand alone, as well. I especially appreciated the art history that is the engine that drives one story and the way that element is brought in the other story. There are multiple meanings of the title, and I'll leave you to discover those on your own. Ali Smith has crafted a masterpiece.
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The First Bad Man
by
Miranda July
Tisa
, February 19, 2015
This is Miranda July's first novel, but I hope it's not her last. She's an accomplished artist in multiple media, and now she can add novelist to her list. This book is a fascinating portrait of Cheryl, a middle-aged woman whose life is infused with stress-induced illness, a longing for love, an obsessive fantasy life, and a desire to make a difference. I loved reading her story! This is not your mother's love story, and that's a good thing.
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Descent
by
Tim Johnston
Tisa
, February 13, 2015
if you think that this is just another book whose plot centers around child abduction, you would be mistaken. Yes, the teenage daughter in this family is abducted, and the tragedy affects the family in horrific ways. But the way Johbston writes about the event and its impact on the parents, and especially the younger brother, makes this telling memorable for its lyricism, gripping emotion, and fearfulness. I disagree with a previous reviewer who was put-off by Johnston's use of "the boy" phrase. I found this an effective device as a reminder that he truly was just a boy, dealing with a man's emotional challenges. This was one of the best books I read in the last year.
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Let Me Be Frank with You
by
Ford, Richard
Tisa
, January 08, 2015
The cynical yet often humorous commentary of Frank Bascombe returns in four short, interconnected stories of life stages. The time is just after hurricane Sandy has struck the Jersey Shore, and this 68 year-old, retired realtor faces the destruction of not only his home town, but of the lives of friends and relatives he's known for decades. Sandy may be the obvious culprit, but Frank sees beyond that to what life has in store as he watches himself and those around him face the ravages of merely getting older. He's a truth teller, but he tells it in a way that helps us know that we can face the challenges of getting older if we see the humor and humanity in each situation.
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Dept. of Speculation
by
Jenny Offill
Tisa
, January 08, 2015
You'll be tempted to speed through this tiny book, but don't do that! Jenny Offill has crafted a gem of rare beauty, and each facet is cut to reflect every glint of a woman's emotional spectrum as she discovers that her husband is betraying her. With a truthful pen, she exposes the pain, the fear, the anger, and the strength that women experience when a perfect life slowly becomes a deceitful one. Read it twice, at least, because you might hurriedly skim over some of the best writing you'll experience this year just to see what she reveals next.
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Beautiful You: A Novel
by
Chuck Palahniuk
Tisa
, November 08, 2014
Someone once told me, after perusing my bookshelves, that I should get rid of the Palahniuk books because they are evil. NEVER! This newest novel creates a world where heightened pleasure for women is the focal point of one diabolical man in pursuit of his own satisfaction. But pleasure takes on a variety of forms--shopping, eating, dressing, working, and, of course, experiencing sexual pleasure of the death-defying kind. Told with the craft of a writing master and the insight of a social psychologist, "Beautiful You" pokes fun at our obsessions while it teaches us to be careful what we wish for. It will take it's place among my other "evil" literature. HA!
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Boy Who Drew Monsters A Novel
by
Keith Donohue
Tisa
, October 25, 2014
When I was a kid, I almost drowned, too, but it never led to what happens to Jip, a child with Asperger's, in this creepy but fascinating tale. Parents, pay attention to your children and the way they spend time alone and with their friends. Believe them when they say they see and hear things. And be aware of your own instincts when you sense that something's just not right. This story will make you look at children's drawings with new eyes.
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Everything I Never Told You
by
Celeste Ng
Tisa
, October 11, 2014
This extraordinary first novel made my heart beat fast. This is not just another dysfunctional family story, but rather a tale of how being different in a world of sameness can color one's world view and influence decisions that affect the past, present, and future. Make sure you have nothing that needs to get done right away because the story of the Lee family's struggle to overcome death, betrayal, and deception will absorb you.
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Long Man A novel
by
Amy Greene
Tisa
, April 24, 2014
I've lived in the Tennessee valley, in the shadow of TVA and one mile from one of their dams, all my life. Amy Greene brings back an important part of the history of southeast Tennessee and the immense impact the construction of the river dam system brought to the people living in Long Man's path. Her characters are the real people who gave their homes and lives for the river control projects, and we feel their strength and love for their threatened way of life. Ms. Greene's well-crafted tale is heart-wrenching and satisfying. I was reminded of Cormac McCarthy as I was drawn into her story and its fascinating, unforgettable characters.
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Local Souls
by
Allan Gurganus
Tisa
, October 24, 2013
"Three ready-made sentences contain so much of human consolation: 'I love you,' 'I'm real proud of you;' 'I'm so sorry for your pain.'" --from this very satisfying novel, set in the fictional town of Falls, NC. Note to the reader: There are no "water" falls in Falls, NC, but there are plenty of startling, unexpected falls taken by recognizable characters brought to life by one of the South's most engaging writers. I have heard Mr. Gurganus speak many times, and his often gentle but always evocative prose reflects the entertaining, captivating person that he is. Even if you don't live in the South, you will recognize these timeless, universal characters, and you will be drawn into their world of Falls, NC as easily as butter melts in your mouth.
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At the Bottom of Everything
by
Ben Dolnick
Tisa
, October 23, 2013
Adam and Thomas are the best of friends, but when a teenage prank goes awry, the secret they keep tears them apart. This gripping story will keep you reading long past your bedtime and will resonate with you for weeks to come. Ben Dolnick is a young writer with a mature writing talent. Don't miss this one.
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Child Of God
by
Cormac McCarthy
Tisa
, October 07, 2013
Lester Ballard, a child of God like the rest of us, is the product of a gruesome childhood experience. He lives his life as an elusive murderer, rapist, and arsonist, and he roams the woods of East Tennessee looking for unsuspecting victims. With his skillful craft of storytelling, McCarthy captures the startling horror, the Southern dialect, and the rural environment that give this tale its authenticity.
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In the House upon the Dirt between the Lake & the Woods
by
Matt Bell
Tisa
, August 28, 2013
It's been quite a while since a book had my heart pounding, but the first chapters of Bell's book will do that. This fable, fairy tale, fantasy of love, adventure, childbirth, child loss, and life lived fiercely is like nothing else you have read before. The forces of nature combine with the frailty of the human condition to create a story you'll never forget. Fire, earth, and water take on a dimension of giving and taking that surprises, scares, and fulfills the reader's imagination--a necessary tool to have at hand as you begin the journey that is this first novel. Don't start this book if you have other tasks that need to be done. You won't get to them.
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The Devil All the Time. by Donald Ray Pollock
by
Donald Ray Pollock
Tisa
, January 01, 2013
This riveting story will keep you turning pages faster than you can whistle Dixie. Mr. Pollock is a fine tale-teller.
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Devil All the Time
by
Donald Ray Pollock
Tisa
, January 31, 2012
This enthralling first novel from Donald Ray Pollock, the author of the story collection Knockemstiff, will grab you by the back of the neck and rivet you to the story as you read of Arvin Eugene Russell's growing up in 1960s Ohio and West Virginia. Surrounded by evil and violence and a father who wrestles with the devil all the time, Arvin can't escape a violent life himself. Other unforgettable characters are a husband-and-wife team of serial killers and a spider-handling preacher and his wheelchair-bound companion. If you like Flannery O'Connor and William Gay, you'll easily fall for Donald Ray Pollock.
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Nemesis
by
Philip Roth
Tisa
, January 01, 2011
Once again Philip Roth has captured the essence of a time, place, and community in his latest novel, Nemesis. The voices of children, their parents, and their much admired coach-teacher are distinct and telling as they reveal a time in American history when fear determined behavior, attitudes, and events. Polio's indiscriminate attack on Newark's playgrounds in 1944 changed the way neighborhoods interacted in profound ways. This is the story of one coach/teacher who tried to fight the fear but failed to find the right target. Plan time to read this book from cover to cover in one sitting.
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One More Theory About Happiness
by
Paul Guest
Tisa
, August 11, 2010
I am not usually a fan of the memoir, but this one, recommended by a friend, is a well-crafted, poetic account of a writer's talent emerging from a childhood accident. Mr. Guest, a now-published and award-winning poet, has written a heart-wrenching and honestly brutal account of his quadraplegia and how he faced life's physical challenges through becoming a writer, learning to be his own person, and struggling to find love. If you know someone who is challenged in any way to overcome adversity, whether it be mental or physical, I recommend this miracle of a book. Wait, even if you don't know anyone with a challenge, read this one anyway just in case that person comes along. You will appreciate Mr. Guest's writing talents and want to read more of his work. This book will stay with you. Find time to read it.
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Map Of The Harbor Islands
by
J G Hayes
Tisa
, April 25, 2007
Petey and Danny have been friends since early boyhood, and they grow-up and fashion lives for themselves out of the South Boston environment that they inhabit. Petey, a precocious quoter of Jung, knows early-on that he is gay, but Danny, the man-about-town and future Marine, is uncertain of his sexuality. The only certainty is their love for each other, and the human conflict arises when this love is examined and questioned by themselves and others. This tale explores the true meaning of love in many kinds of relationships, but ultimately reveals the value of the unconditional friendship that brings these two young men back together.
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