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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
Kara Shamy has commented on (16) products
Sixteen, Sixty-One
by
Natalie Lucas
Kara Shamy
, December 21, 2013
**Clever and Uniquely Powerful Approach Characterize Memoir of Painful Personal History** Author Natalie Lucas pulls no punches in this tremendously original, sophisticated, and potentially inspirational or cathartic memoir. Sixteen, Sixty-One describes the author's experience in a sexual relationship with a 61 year-old man when she was only -- you guessed it -- 16 years of age herself(!) She doesn't spare the man in question or the reader from the nasty details of her liaison. I respect this unforgiving truth-telling. Moreover, as the book moves forward Lucas engages with wholly novel ways to unpack her feelings and experience; the book is ultimately in dialogue with the tradition of the epistolary novel and literary criticism of the same. Lucas is no slouch as a literary critic, so to go through her dissections of e-mails from Mr. 61 (if you will) is awesome and, I found, empowering just to read. The power was contagious. Lucas's analyses are never trite or otherwise boring, I found. You could say the topic of this book includes a lot of navel-gazing by nature, but this material struck me as absolutely fresh and unquestionably powerful throughout. I highly recommend this memoir to anyone with whom the subject matter resonates. Please be advised I gained access to a free electronic copy of this book on NetGalley through gracious permission of the publisher.
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Buck A Memoir
by
Mk Asante
Kara Shamy
, November 03, 2013
This is a fascinating memoir, but it reads more like a superb novel. The sophistication of M.K. Asante's work reflects long study and practice of his craft -- to say nothing of great giftedness as a writer. It veritably oozes ambition in the best sense possible. The book is a coming-of-age story set in an African-American family who we meet living in the Philadelphia area. Asante's style can be described as "urban"-influenced, and much of his story has to do with the specifics of his youth in "urban" environments -- with their attendant dangers and disadvantages, peculiarities and personalities, and unique and rich local culture(s), which variously impact Asante. However, its major theme has to do with his self-education and deepening understanding of himself and where he comes from. This story shows the coming of age of an intellectual and an artist, and it places itself squarely within a long and broad literary tradition in that respect. Most prominent among the strengths here, Asante is fearless in his (largely successful) experimentation with form, which gives his story a unique and distinctly appropriate voice and correspondingly authentic effect on his audience. He uses language with great purpose and frequent brilliance. His work is unmistakably art. On the other hand, the organization didn't always seem to be in perfect step with the content of the story; on occasion, his brilliant range of formal approaches looked to be applied somewhat haphazardly. Some of his lyricism fell flat as well, even though much of it was wonderfully evocative and original. In sum, Buck: A Memoir is a fine work of literature that bears a lot of scrutiny; close or multiple readings of the text will enrich understanding and stimulate. However, some elements of the book are much stronger than others. Still, I strongly recommend reading this book, if for no other reason than it will give you insight into the true masterpiece(s) M.K. Asante will author in the years to come (among many other things). I received my copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program.
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The Bold Investor
by
Clark, George Thomas
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Collection Showcases Author's Distinctive Style, Characterized by Love of Language and Sense of Humor*** I admit I have never felt less certain of my opinion about a work than I do with this distinctive collection of fiction by George Thomas Clark. I'll have to give The Bold Investor time to percolate in my mind and probably re-read the collection closely at some point as well. At this point, I can articulate some clear observations and analyses that may be of more service to you, fellow readers, than my ultimate conclusion about the total literary merit of this read. There were two things I appreciated deeply and unambivalently about Clark's unique narrative style and plot content: A) His sense of absurdity and his tragicomic sense of humor. The irony in his stories isn't going to please everyone, and it didn't always sit well with me. But, his general narrative tone--which I think is best termed a sensitivity to and an appreciation of life's absurdity--kept me intellectually engaged and entertained throughout my read. B) His unmistakable love of language, which is evidenced throughout the book from the small font packed tightly on each physical page to delicious sentences, which feature vocabulary in clever ways that I consider representative of Clark's idiomatic style. I had seen such a sentence in one of my favorite stories, "Cal Tech [sic] versus Notre Dame," but I just scanned the story twice and cannot find it. Here's a pretty good quotation to represent a lot of what I like about Clark's collection generally in this quotation from the aforementioned story: "'That is unsupportable, unscientific, and manifestly absurd,' said Marx. 'So many of you traditionalists were unable to adapt to dynamic and challenging new realities. Mired, as you've always been, in the arcane and unreal world of the laboratory, you would've preferred to gaze into test tubes until liquidators backed trucks up to your doors. The super-universities have been bleeding us for years, offering outrageous salaries to our most esteemed colleagues...It damn near destroyed my spirit, seeing former Cal Tech [sic] professors develop cures for herpes, baldness, impotence, and hysteria, and their new institutions reap millions of dollars. Those Nobel-caliber studs have got to be paid years before their work reaches fruition, and there was only one way we could hope to do so'" (p. 210). The main problem I had with the book--the only unfavorable reaction I had--is related to the titular, final story "The Bold Investor." I found the ending hopeful and unsurprising, but I'm not sure I understood it properly. And, depending on how I interpret the story, I might even find the themes offensive or at least disturbing. I would not expect other people to have that reaction, please note. However, it's an example of a failure to clearly set forth his thematic purpose as well as how his sense of irony might not amuse. I hope this is helpful to someone; thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. Finally, please be advised I received a free copy of this book through my good fortune in a Goodreads giveaway.
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American Odyssey
by
R. Douglas Clark
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Worthwhile Read, Which Pays Sufficient Respect to Literary Forebears*** *American Odyssey* is a really good work of fiction -- definitely worth reading if the description of the story interests you. It is not, however, a historic contribution to the literary arts. So what, you ask? Well, I underestimated it at first, and I found a strength in author R. Douglas Clark's work where I expected to find a weakness. At the outset, I expected the incongruity between author R. Douglas Clark's literary achievement and that of Homer, whose immortal classic *The Odyssey* Clark incorporates as context within his own work, would severely mar the work of contemporary fiction. I expected the book would seem that more amateurish, vastly overreaching its grasp, or maybe it would come off as pretentious. All of these concerns proved unwarranted. On the contrary, Clark's invocation of classical literature served to dignify the subject of his story -- the travels of an Afghanistan vet newly arrived back in the US -- and elevate the issues of contemporary life to the level of histories that formed the basis of great epics. The frame of reference is an artistic technique that characterizes Clark's subject and is not meant to place the book itself in any particular tradition. This high-minded reverence for the tragic, heroic, and otherwise dramatic in his contemporary story distinguishes Clark's storytelling as serious-minded and ambitious -- and above all shows respect for the soldier at the heart of his story. In sum, *American Odyssey* is a readable, worthwhile debut as well as an ambitious and timely project. I look forward to Clark's next publication. Please be advised I received my copy through a Goodreads giveaway.
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Wesley's Wars (Theological)
by
J. Robert Ewbank
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Accessible for People Who Want to Learn about Methodist History & Theology and Substantive Too!*** I. WHY THIS BOOK WAS GREAT FOR ME (AND MIGHT BE FOR SOME OTHERS): I was very happy I had the chance to read Wesley's Wars. Sometimes winning a GoodReads giveaway (as in this case) allows me to indulge a reading interest I would otherwise defer, possible indefinitely. I have always been a student of religious texts as a way of getting closer to God. I have recently been interested in reading more theological work for contemplation. Moreover, I have been doing a lot of genealogical research on ancestors who converted to the Methodist faith, including Wesleyan Methodist. This could be an interesting family history type of tool if you're into that sort of thing. **II. WHY THIS BOOK WAS GREAT FOR ME AND MIGHT BE FOR MANY OTHER READERS: I came to this book with limited theological background. I had read some Protestant thinkers in college, but I've never been to a church and been fully indoctrinated in one or more faith's teachings. It was accessible to me, which was most important. However, I felt I was given a taste of the more complex theological points -- some real knowledge to develop further. In other words, this is a great introduction for anyone's who is interested in this theology but doesn't want to deal with a treatise or original source!
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Cane
by
Jean Toomer, Rudolph P Byrd, Henry Louis Jr Gates
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***True Greatness -- Don't Miss Out on This Classic*** I had never heard of Jean Toomer until my junior year of college when I took a seminar on the Harlem Renaissance. I hardly remember the book itself -- what I do remember was being struck by the sense that I was reading one of the greatest writers of all time and the peculiarity of my prior ignorance of Jean Toomer, let alone Jean Toomer as a literary genius. I feel too many lovers of the literary arts haven't read this particular classic. I need to read it again soon!
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Screenshot
by
John Darrin
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
Fellow fans of the thriller and suspense genres, I highly recommend you put Screenshot high on your reading agenda. John Darrin's writing is incredibly sharp, and I didn't lose interest in this book at any point -- it's a total page turner. The only other thing I feel I should say is that I am increasingly stingy with the five-star rating. If you see fit based on this contextual information, please upgrade my rating of this wonderful book accordingly in your own mind. One more thing I know I should say: Please be advised that I was super lucky; I received my copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I look forward to reading it again fairly soon.
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Fingersmith
by
Waters, Sarah
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Contemporary Classic*** Fingersmith isn't just a great novel for someone seeking a story exploring a lesbian relationship between two strong characters; it is a truly Great Novel -- a future classic -- worthy of study and consideration as an example of the best contemporary literature written in English. That is not to say it's for everyone -- I've scanned the existing reviews here. Some people do not enjoy this book one bit and feel it delivers less than it demands. So I will try to articulate what I like about the book; maybe you'll see something that resonates with you as a reason you'd enjoy it -- or a signal that you might be more likely to find it a waste of time. 1) I really appreciate multi-dimensional, complex characters who are fleshed out with details of their thoughts and feeling so that they seem really human. If these elements of characterization often impact how much you enjoy a book, you would definitely find a lot to appreciate in Sarah Waters's work here. 1a) If you furthermore have an appreciation of psychological novels where you get a really deep and nuanced understanding of how an individual character thinks and feels, you will probably really like this book. One of the primary features of this novel is that you experience the story from the perspective of each of the two main characters. These characters are tremendously interesting and incredibly well-developed. Sarah Waters really shows mastery, I think, in fascinating the reader with her depiction of her characters' consciousness -- the complexity, relatability, and strangeness of both characters is spellbinding. 2) I agree with others who have said that if you really like Victorian novels, you're likely to enjoy this. If you never met a Victorian novel you liked and have sampled several from different authors, I'd say you are somewhat less likely to enjoy this novel. 2a) But it's no Victorian novel; I know people who read nothing but mass market fiction and are not "literary" types who LOVED this book and couldn't put it down. 3)I found the plot really, really delivered! There were many more unexpected twists and satisfyingly shocking, dramatic events in this book than in the lion's share of books I read. There will be moments that you won't want to put it down, I can pretty much guarantee. I didn't think it was ever slow moving in plot, but that's all relative. I don't know what feels too fast or slow for you. It's definitely a lot more action-packed and fast-moving than anything by Victorian novelists Eliot, Gaskell or Trollope, for example. Dickens is sometimes very fast moving with his plots so I can't really make the same comparison. In sum, I'd say this book: --has a fascinating and original plot and narrative technique (the perspective switching, for example); --does an outstanding job of depicting textured, complex and palpably human characters and relationships; --is written as intricately and rigorously and beautifully to merit multiple close readings (if you're into that sort of thing ;). I hope this is helpful for at least some of you -- happy reading!
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Integral Vision A Very Short Introduction to the Revolutionary Integral Approach to Life God the Universe & Everything
by
Ken Wilber
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Is This Guy for Real? Upon Further Inquiry, It Would Seem So, But He's Got to Be Kidding Here*** Ooohlala, how to describe this thing? This was some very condescending, even occasionally ridiculous airport reading for me recently. It was recommended to me by someone I respect tremendously as an introduction to Wilber's Integral Life Practice and especially the underlying theory. It's a horrible introduction of any and all ideas. It seems to presume the reader has never learned to think critically or rigorously and proposes quadrants, lines, etc. as an *all-purpose* framework for all future consideration of the world. It's heavy on illustration and low on text. It's heavy on vast over-simplifications and low on acknowledgement of its limitations. I remember thinking there were some worthwhile ideas I could extract and appreciate amidst this facile presentation of a so-called vision. I am having trouble coming up with any particular examples to cite here though, I'm afraid. All this said, I found many more worthwhile ideas, a less condescending tone, and a general lack of vast over-simplification in a second book I ventured to read of Wilber's -- this one coauthored with three other Integral thinkers. For those looking for a thinking person's introduction to what Integral Thinking and Living is all about (and if it could be of benefit to you), forget about taking up this blue object. Instead, take a look at Integral Life Practice: A 21st-Century Blueprint for Physical Health, Emotional Balance, Mental Clarity, and Spiritual Awakening -- by Ken Wilber as well as Terry Patten, Adam Leonard & Marco Morelli. I read many chapters of it (I want to return to it and read the rest sometime), and there's some real food for thought in this one.
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Sex Equality
by
Catherine A MacKinnon
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Only Casebook I Ever Enjoyed for Both Quality and Content of Writing*** This casebook is not only a stimulating compendium of thought-provoking cases (each alone, but especially when juxtaposed together) -- I found it strangely amusing to read pretty often. Professor Mackinnon takes something of an absurd tone in order to distance her personal voice from her explication of key ideas. It makes sense; she cannot make a new idea intuitive to a reader by defending it in the terms in which she intuitively conceives of it. She has to use ideas more attractive to people of divergent views to make sure she gets her theories across for due consideration. In any case, the results were often laughable to me. If you have a high sensitivity to comic absurdity, perhaps you too will be amused. In any case, it's a stimulating read whether you're studying this area of legal theory from a sympathetic, suspicious, or wholly open mindset. I thought and learned a lot reading this material.
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Red Queen
by
Philippa Gregory
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Gregory at Her Best*** After reading The White Queen I eagerly anticipated the next novel in this Philippa Gregory series. I read this novel as soon as it was released, and none of my high hopes were disappointed. I found it absolutely as satisfying as I had the last novel and more engrossing at times, and that is saying a great deal for this book's status as a pageturner in my estimation. I found the book more enjoyable because the protagonist was dislikable in so many ways. The first person narration of the novel offered some very amusing and interesting insights into the character's psychology. This book is good fun.
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White Queen
by
Philippa Gregory
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Satisfies Hunger for Historical Fiction*** This was the first book by Philippa Gregory that I read, and it remains one of my favorites. I typically stick to heavy literary classics, but my fascination with some eras in British history left me hankering for some historical fiction. Reading Philippa Gregory's books really allow me to itch that scratch. Also, I'm someone who finds difficulty making time for personal reading unless I am part of a book club, a Goodreads First Reads winner, or have some other external pressure to make time for an activity I would normally de-prioritize as pure pleasure. However, this novel quickly hooked me in so that I was completely immersed in the story for hours at a time. I was too absorbed to feel guilty for not doing something more "productive." That's a real gift. If you're interested in historical fiction about women, this period, etc. this should prove to be a satisfying indulgence.
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White Queen
by
Philippa Gregory
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Satisfies Hunger for Historical Fiction*** This was the first book by Philippa Gregory that I read, and it remains one of my favorites. I typically stick to heavy literary classics, but my fascination with some eras in British history left me hankering for some historical fiction. Reading Philippa Gregory's books really allow me to itch that scratch. Also, I'm someone who finds difficulty making time for personal reading unless I am part of a book club, a Goodreads First Reads winner, or have some other external pressure to make time for an activity I would normally de-prioritize as pure pleasure. However, this novel quickly hooked me in so that I was completely immersed in the story for hours at a time. I was too absorbed to feel guilty for not doing something more "productive." That's a real gift. If you're interested in historical fiction about women, this period, etc. this should prove to be a satisfying indulgence.
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The White Princess
by
Gregory, Philippa
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***A Delight!*** I found this book awesome -- easily one of Philippa Gregory's best. Although I still haven't read two books in this series (I am definitely going to re-read this once I get to those), I thought this novel did a fine job of tying up many of the loose ends that exist in the series in exciting, dramatic ways. Reading this book was a fascinating, fun experience. If you like Philippa Gregory and any of the novels in The Cousins' War series, this is a must read. As usual, Gregory's new book was a pageturner -- I was hooked for two days straight. FYI, I was lucky enough to win my copy through the Goodreads first reads program. *Sigh of relief* I'm finally old enough to acknowledge books not noteworthy for literary merit can still provide real value to a human -- at least this human -- with an imaginative, detailed, absorbing story. Yeah, I struggle with Snobby English Major Syndrome (SEMS) -- one day at a time. ;)
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Wars of the Roses
by
Weir, Alison
Kara Shamy
, October 26, 2013
***Informative, Detailed Review of the Period*** I read this book last year when I didn't manage to read many books at all; this was definitely a worthwhile choice. I have always had a deep interest in history, but during this time I was very curious about British history in general. As an American who never studied European history but has studied other history in a rigorous academic context, this book was well-catered to my understanding. Specifically, it provided the overview I was looking for along with all the historical context I needed to engage fully with every aspect of Weir's review of this particular period. At the same time, her discussion of sources and defense of her viewpoints on this topic were serious and allowed me to understand where acknowledged ambiguity exists. I got a sense of what the areas of scholarly debate were on this subject, but Weir never undermined the book's function as a piece of engaging storytelling for a general audience with a taste for history and a healthy appetite -- but not ravenous hunger -- for detail. Basically if you want to get some detailed knowledge of this period for non-academic purposes, it's probable you have found what you're looking for here. Proceed to read - Alison Weir delivers, dear readers.
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Luminaries
by
Eleanor Catton
Kara Shamy
, October 17, 2013
The Luminaries is, I think, a historic literary achievement. As I wrote in an online review on October 13: "If it doesn't win this year's Man Booker Prize, you'll be able to knock me over with a feather. Yeah, that's the most polite way to put it." I have had no feather related falls obviously. I cannot wait to read this novel again. It's a pleasure to read, and it bears substantial scholarly scrutiny as a work of literary art. I've commended novelists for their ambition in some of my previous reviews. Eleanor Catton's ambition is revealed first by the somewhat abstract astrological structure she sets up for her work -- it's the kind of move a book meant merely to entertain does not dare. It reminds me somewhat of James Joyce's modeling his masterwork about June 16th in the life of Dedalus and Bloom, Ulysses, after Homer's Odyssey. While Catton's pretense does not match that of Joyce, her execution of her work places it squarely within the same tradition of masterful examples of the novel. Also, as a sidenote, I found that some of Catton's prose reminded me of Joyce's in the penultimate catechism-type episode in Ulysses. I did not do a close side-by-side comparison, but that was the impression that jumped to the front of my mind as I read. In its scope and achievement, this work also calls to mind George Eliot's Middlemarch. To speak more of The Luminaries on its own terms, as really I ought: --There's poetry in this prose; it's everywhere evocative. --The narrative voice is free and easy; Catton doesn't give the sense that she's trying too hard. To write such a complex and masterful work so confidently blows my mind. If I were to characterize her narrative style altogether in a few words I would choose: playful, with an affectionate disposition to reader and the narrative itself. --Like other great novels I've mentioned in this review, it unites macroscopic and microscopic views of its subject matter and does so in a circumscribed setting in terms of time and place. This focuses the range of detail and ultimately epic effect of the work. The Luminaries is resplendent; you won't want to miss it, dear readers. All you English majors, dust off your rigorous analytical skills, and all you lovers of literature, dust off that part of your heart that feels great books. Some classic literature is happenin' here! I hope this helps; thanks for reading my ideas. Please be advised I read an electronic galley by generous permission of the publisher Little, Brown and Company.
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