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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
alchymyst has commented on (17) products
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
by
Shirley Jackson
alchymyst
, August 05, 2012
I love this short yet intensely creepy novel. It is narrated by Mary Katherine "Merricat" Blackwood, who lives in a large house on the outskirts of the village with her sister Constance and uncle Julian. The family is ostracized due to the family history and the villagers' perception that Constance had poisoned the Blackwood parents with arsenic. As the deceptively innocent tone of the narrative lures you in further and further, you realize that this is perhaps the most unsettling and disturbing book you will ever read in your life (and yes, that's what makes it amazing).
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Song of Achilles
by
Madeline Miller
alchymyst
, August 04, 2012
Simply a fantastic book, probably the best one I've read this year so far. It is a coming-of-age story and also a love story. I loved the writing style and basically swallowed it in just a couple of sittings. It will make you want to go read (or reread) the Iliad and Greek mythology, but you don't need to be a Greek scholar to appreciate this terrific novel.
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Among Others
by
Jo Walton
alchymyst
, January 01, 2012
This is probably the best book I've read in 2011. Definitely a must-read for anybody who reads sci-fi and fantasy or grew up reading sci-fi classics. Re-read it again if only to make a to-read (or to-reread) list!
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In the Woods
by
Tana French
alchymyst
, December 04, 2011
I am usually not a big mystery reader, but every time I come across a mystery novel like In the Woods, I think 'why don't I read more mysteries'?? Loved it, loved the psychological aspect, loved the writing. Definitely goes onto the favorites shelf.
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Snowdrops
by
AD Miller
alchymyst
, November 19, 2011
I thought it was a really good read. Where A. D. Miller succeeds beautifully is in creating atmosphere and setting. When he describes the winter, you can almost feel your limbs going numb from cold. It was perhaps not the most gripping story, but it was an interesting snapshot of corruption in post-Soviet Russia.
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Deepness in the Sky
by
Vernor Vinge
alchymyst
, November 19, 2011
Definitely one of my favorite sci-fi reads. I love the way Vinge does aliens -- he does not describe them, he just goes on with the narrative and lets you gradually build a picture of them in your mind.
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Please Look After Mom
by
Kyung Sook Shin, Chi Young Kim
alchymyst
, November 15, 2011
Incredibly poignant story about sacrifices mothers make for their children, about appreciating people while they are still with us, and about regrets. It will make you cry and will stay with you forever.
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Zen Mind Beginners Mind
by
Shunryu Suzuki
alchymyst
, November 05, 2011
This is an incredible little book. It's one of the first books I've read on Zen Buddhism when I was just starting my practice, and it's been with me ever since. Suzuki does not focus on attaining enlightenment. Instead, he teaches you to just sit and keep an open mind, to love practice for itself instead of because it might lead to satori. You can reread this book many times and find something new every time you do it.
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Momma Zen Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood
by
Karen Maezen Miller
alchymyst
, October 11, 2011
Probably the best and the most honest book on pregnancy/parenthood I've ever read. Clear, crisp writing, great practical advice. You don't have to be a Buddhist to learn something from this book.
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A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
by
Seiichi Makino
alchymyst
, October 09, 2011
Since Japanese grammar largely consists of sentence patterns (i.e. 'this is how you say you want something'), grammar points can be neatly arranged in a dictionary format, which makes this volume a great reference book. It's not a textbook, but rather a place to look up all those pesky grammar points that are not adequately explained in textbooks. This volume plus the Intermediate and Advanced ones are a must for your library if you are a serious student of Japanese.
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Japanese For Everyone A Functional App
by
Gakken
alchymyst
, October 09, 2011
I bought this book when I was living in Japan a few years ago and so far this has been my favorite textbook for learning Japanese. It is fairly fast-paced, with several grammar points per lesson. Basically, it will propel you from total beginner to somewhere in the intermediate range when you are done. They wean you off romaji very early on (around the second or third lesson). I found dialogues to be pretty natural. Some small details are a bit dated (people calling the operator on the phone, that kind of thing), but overall it's a really good book.
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Ringworld
by
Larry Niven
alchymyst
, October 07, 2011
An odd read. It is a classic, and it has some great ideas, but not much in the way of the plot. Rather, it has one of those 'let's go see and explore weird alien artifact/new planet/etc', so not much happens except for exploring. I can also see why people have problem with Niven's women characters...
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Pandora's Star: The Intersolar Commonwealth Saga 1
by
Peter F Hamilton
alchymyst
, October 07, 2011
Pandora's Star and its sequel, Judas Unchained are two of my favorite sci-fi books (though they are really one book, split for publishing purposes). Do not be intimidated by the page count, the action is quite fast-paced. Great read.
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Magicians Book 1
by
Lev Grossman
alchymyst
, October 07, 2011
Was actually quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Usually, when people say 'it's Harry Potter for such-and-such group' about a book, said book rarely lives up to my expectations. This time, however, I'm glad I finally read it. I loved the writing style and the setting.
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Fuzzy Nation
by
John Scalzi
alchymyst
, September 30, 2011
Great reboot of the classic H. Beam Piper's 'Little Fuzzy'. In fact, I hope the gods of classic sci-fi won't strike me down for saying that it's probably better than the original.
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(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
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Among Others
by
Jo Walton
alchymyst
, September 30, 2011
I love, love this book. If you are sci-fi/fantasy reader, this is a book for you. It's about the magic of books and reading. I was inspired by it to read and reread many sci-fi classics.
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(4 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
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Japanese Hot Pots Comforting One Pot Meals
by
Tadashi Ono
alchymyst
, September 30, 2011
Fantastic book about Japanese nabe (hot pot) dishes. They are very easy to make and are perfect for dinner in the winter. Note, though, that you have to have access to some Japanese ingredients!
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