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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
Sara G. has commented on (3) products
Two Boys Kissing
by
Levithan, David
Sara G.
, November 09, 2018
There has been a rise in YA literature aimed at the LBGT community. Perhaps due to legalized gay marriage, or because of the popularity of such novels, queer novels are some of the best ways for a young gay person to feel connected with others in the community. But what if you’re not part of that community? Can you still read something like this novel and get something out of it? I’d say yes. The novel contains several stories, intertwined with one another through two boys doing things. Some boys are meeting for the first time; some boys have been happily together for a long time; some are all alone; and some are trying to break the world record for the longest-held kiss. All the stories are narrated by the voices of gay men from ages past, those who died from AIDs. The narration was the best part of the novel, due to the unique and philosophical nature of the voices, but the stories are also well-written. They range from deeply tragic to sickly sweet, but they are all beautiful in their own kind of way. I actually think this novel is great for any reader. Even though this is aimed towards members of the LGBT community, anyone can get something out of it. Whether you’re an ally, or just curious, Two Boys Kissing is a wonderful read for anyone looking for a delightful example of LGBT representation in YA novels.
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Luka & the Fire of Life
by
Salman Rushdie
Sara G.
, October 05, 2018
Luka and the Fire of Life has, on the outset, some of the most beautiful, fascinating, and bizarre imagery and wordplay that I’ve seen for a while. Salman Rushdie pulls from almost every mythology and fairy tale to create a world full of imagination. Metaphors and allegories fill this tale of what seems to be an extravagant young boy’s adventure novel, hiding what is essentially an exploration on the power of storytelling, and how it transcends even death itself. Quirky characters filtrate this World of Magic. Everyone from the fire ladybug to the Insultana of Ott all have unique personalities. The only one who suffers from a lack of personality is, ironically, our titular character. Luka has the typical kid-hero characteristics; brave, resourceful, kind, and sometimes snarky. But he doesn’t have much else beyond that. It feels like Luka is a tool that the reader uses to traverse this strange, colorful world, which is a shame, since this story focuses on his unusual but warm-hearted family. He is a passenger on this ride, letting other characters, like the Insultana of Ott, do all the work for him. There will be times you wish this kid did more of this fair share, especially towards the end when he has all these allies doing more than him. You’d wish he had more to him other than the role of hero. Still, the World of Magic feels alive and vibrant. If anything, pick up this book for the worldbuilding and the mythology references. You will not be disappointed with this place.
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Simon Snow 01 Carry On
by
Rainbow Rowell
Sara G.
, September 19, 2018
Carry On is a unique book and yet not at all. On the surface, this is a Harry-Potter-like adventure intermingled with fanfiction fluff, based on the fictional book series featured in one of Rainbow Rowell’s other books, Fangirl. On the other hand, this is Rowell’s own take on not just the children’s fantasy genre, but the concept of fanfiction itself. Fans write fanfiction in order to fulfill what the canon could not; relationships that can never be and stories that could never be told. Rowell uses this idea in Carry On to subvert and invert tropes we expect from these types of “chosen hero” stories: the love interest/damsel-in-distress, the snotty rival, the wise mentor, why the hero was chosen to save the world, etc. This idea comes into fruition through the main couple of Carry On, chosen hero Simon Snow and his vampire arch nemesis Baz. They both know their roles in the story, as they remind us in sometimes blatant, metatextual ways. But they also see the flaws in the thinking that everything is set in stone. Their growing relationship is what sets them apart from other relationships in adventure stories like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson: they must learn that their roles are built on their own insecurities and expectations pushed upon them and find their own happy ending together. It’s this core dynamic that makes the book a refreshing change from the standard adventure book. World-weary fans of Harry Potter will find plenty to like here.
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