Guests
by Suzanne G., May 22, 2014 4:17 PM
I'm a sucker for apocalypse and post-apocalypse stories, but McHugh's collection is something extra-special. Her protagonists differ dramatically in age, cultural background, income levels, and values, and they are all real and compelling; the settings vary widely in place and time (some in the present, some in a recognizable near-future), and each story is a fully realized and absorbing vignette — I'm never in a rush to start the next story because of how fully the previous story occupies my mind. I especially love that while the subject matter is dark, the stories are often funny, and most have an element of
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Guests
by Suzanne G., April 26, 2014 12:14 PM
The wonderful thing about A Complicated Kindness is that, though it is deeply sad (and beautifully written), it is persistently hilarious. The savvy teenage narrator uses dark humor as a survival tactic, and she's full of wry insight and sardonic, deadpan descriptions that made me laugh even during the saddest scenes. In my experience, it's hard to find literature that honestly depicts suffering (and realistically flawed yet still lovable characters) without an overpowering sense of empty hopelessness. The pain in A Complicated Kindness is undercut by humor in an honest, authentic way that conveys a powerful sense of
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Guests
by Suzanne G., March 6, 2014 4:54 PM
Glaciers is a perfect little jewel of a book. It narrates a single day in the life of Isabel, a 20-something who loves Portland and comfortably inhabits the city. Smith's prose is so evocative — you can hear the clink of the spoon on the glass and taste the honey in the tea. A peaceful, contemplative
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Guests
by Suzanne G., November 23, 2013 10:31 AM
If I have to pick one book, I want it to be the book that explains in detail how it tested multiple versions of each recipe, what the results were, why the authors picked the one they decided was best, and what variations they suggest. At a thousand fully-explained recipes, this dictionary-size reference book is the first one I consult for everything from eggplant Parmesan to steamed mussels to carrot cake. Much more authoritative than Googling, it's the Consumer Reports of classic
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Guests
by Suzanne G., October 19, 2013 10:40 AM
Partial spoiler: the part with the cannibals comes out of nowhere and is utterly terrifying. I had planned to get out of bed and brush my teeth before going to sleep that night, but once I had read that part of the book, I was just too scared (to my husband's great annoyance) to do anything so potentially
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Guests
by Suzanne G., September 9, 2013 5:14 PM
Elna Baker is a practicing Mormon and stand-up comic who lives in New York City and says yes to everything but sex and drugs (including alcohol and caffeine), so she's broken some conventions in a spectacular way. And as she says, "Because there aren't very many Mormon men to choose from in the city, I've dated primarily non-Mormons. Only because I don't have sex before marriage, the longest relationship I've been able to sustain in NYC is four weeks. And that's only because for two of those weeks the guy was out of town." For a representative example, see " Top Five Worst Dates" on Powell's blog
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Guests
by Suzanne G., April 8, 2010 12:20 PM
A great book for the beginning knitter! Speed Knitting is the book that inspired me to learn to knit. I didn't want to spend lots of time on a knitting project — I wanted something I knew I could finish right away so I could wear it or give it as a gift! The skinny scarf was my first project, and the ribby wrist-warmers were my second. As my confidence grew, I became interested in smaller needles and lighter-weight yarns, but I still return to this book to experiment with the stitch patterns it
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Guests
by Suzanne G., February 25, 2010 1:05 PM
If you want your home to be a clean, clutter-free space but have difficulty getting rid of unneeded belongings and unwanted gifts, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui is the book for you; fifty pages in and you'll be eager to put the book down and start giving things away. In a cheerful, thoughtful way, author Karen Kingston explores and dismantles the anxiety-, shame-, and guilt-based reasons that we keep possessions we don't use or love, and conveys a sense of freedom and empowerment for positive
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Guests
by Suzanne G., February 25, 2010 12:57 PM
This informal guide cheerfully reminds the reader that every tradition began as an innovative new idea, and that the ceremony should be tailored to fit you — not the other way around! Filled with savvy advice (which two wedding elements should you have professionally done?) and creative suggestions (how can your bridesmaids look "official" without matching dresses?), this book is here to inspire and empower the bride who is going beyond a generic cookie-cutter
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Guests
by Suzanne G., February 25, 2010 12:55 PM
Mason-Dixon Knitting is easy to get into — approachable and accessible — and it focuses on knitting items you will use daily, that you will love, that you will be proud to gives as gifts, and that recipients will be delighted to use. The authors use an informal, even goofy, way to cheer you on in trying new techniques. Its theme — "Complex things are often very simple. And simple things can be very beautiful" — means that the patterns are meant to be customized according to your taste and skill. They're challenging enough to keep you engaged, easy enough to be fun. It's a satisfying
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