A novel about bitchy girls at a Catholic school? If you've lived it, do you still want to read about it? To help decide, check out book critic Jane Ciabattari's review of Unfinished Desires at NPR. Ciabattari calls Gail Godwin's book "sumptuous and spicy."
On the topic of Catholic school, don't forget the absolutely hilarious, spot-on classic by John R. Powers, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? In fact, a winter weekend might be the right time to read, or re-read, this funny book.
Showing posts with label NPR book recommendations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NPR book recommendations. Show all posts
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
New Book from the NYT's Gail Collins
NYT op-ed columnist - arguably the paper's best op-ed columnist - Gail Collins has a new book out: When Everything Changed. The book looks at how the lives of women in America have changed since enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Also of interest: At the London Review of Books a look at The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett.
(Via NPR)
Also of interest: At the London Review of Books a look at The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett.
(Via NPR)
Friday, September 18, 2009
Fashion Week Reads
Even though the 2009 edition of Fashion Week in New York is over, interest in looking stylish continues. For the fashion-minded reader on a budget, NPR suggests a few books:
Check out NPR.org for the rationale behind each of these picks.
I'd add to this list Style Evolution by Kendall Farr. Farr's book provides useful advice for selecting clothing that makes one look stylish, not foolish. Because after all, a frugal purchase is not a bargain if you don't look nice in it.
- Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing
by Erika Stalder.
- Vintage L.A.: Eats, Boutiques, Decor, Landmarks, Markets & More
by Jennifer Brandt Taylor.
- D.V.
by Diana Vreeland.
Check out NPR.org for the rationale behind each of these picks.
I'd add to this list Style Evolution by Kendall Farr. Farr's book provides useful advice for selecting clothing that makes one look stylish, not foolish. Because after all, a frugal purchase is not a bargain if you don't look nice in it.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Vote for Your Favorites in NPR's Search for the Best Beach Books Ever.
Readers nominated around 600 titles in NPR's search for the Best Beach Books Ever. The list has been whittled down to 200, and it is time to vote for your top ten out of this list. Here is the link to vote. Winners will be announced July 29.
The list contains great books and, although it was difficult to choose just ten, below are the books that got my vote:
Bel Canto, Ann Patchett.
I read this wonderful book one hot, humid August. Sitting outside on the deck in a floppy sun hat, I was absorbed in Ms. Patchett's writing, looking up only occasionally to check out the action on the lake or to take a sip of ice tea. Bel Canto is permanently linked in my mind with summer.
Cold Sassy Tree, Olive Ann Burns.
This is another terrific read - and a blast from the past. Years ago Cold Sassy Tree was recommended to me by two friends and they were right about what a good story it is. One person I subsequently gave my copy of the book to said, "If you have more like this, pass 'em on." And if you haven't read this yet, consider trying it this summer.
Dune, Frank Herbert.
Everyone should read Dune at some time, don't you agree? What an exciting story. And where better to read it than on a sandy beach?
The Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling.
You know Harry; good stuff.
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Another great, unforgettable book that you just want everyone to read because it is such an enjoyable experience.
The Mosquito Coast, Paul Theroux.
I read The Mosquito Coast while I was in college and taking several political science courses. The courses and the book dovetailed perfectly, making this novel particularly memorable. But you don't need a brain fueled with political science theory to enjoy The Mosquito Coast; it is an excellent book.
A Soldier of the Great War, Mark Helprin.
Another novel that I actually did read on a beach. A wonderful book, and one of the few works of fiction that I've read more than once.
Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow.
I distinctly recall, years ago now, sitting down to read a few pages of this book early one Friday evening, and not doing much of anything else - including sleep - until I finished the entire thing. Exciting book.
Under the Tuscan Sun, Frances Mayes.
Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
Both Under the Tuscan Sun and Water for Elephants are delightful stories. These are books that you think about when you are off doing other activities, anticipating your return to a good, good read. Perfect for vacation.
The list contains great books and, although it was difficult to choose just ten, below are the books that got my vote:
Bel Canto, Ann Patchett.
I read this wonderful book one hot, humid August. Sitting outside on the deck in a floppy sun hat, I was absorbed in Ms. Patchett's writing, looking up only occasionally to check out the action on the lake or to take a sip of ice tea. Bel Canto is permanently linked in my mind with summer.
Cold Sassy Tree, Olive Ann Burns.
This is another terrific read - and a blast from the past. Years ago Cold Sassy Tree was recommended to me by two friends and they were right about what a good story it is. One person I subsequently gave my copy of the book to said, "If you have more like this, pass 'em on." And if you haven't read this yet, consider trying it this summer.
Dune, Frank Herbert.
Everyone should read Dune at some time, don't you agree? What an exciting story. And where better to read it than on a sandy beach?
The Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling.
You know Harry; good stuff.
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Another great, unforgettable book that you just want everyone to read because it is such an enjoyable experience.
The Mosquito Coast, Paul Theroux.
I read The Mosquito Coast while I was in college and taking several political science courses. The courses and the book dovetailed perfectly, making this novel particularly memorable. But you don't need a brain fueled with political science theory to enjoy The Mosquito Coast; it is an excellent book.
A Soldier of the Great War, Mark Helprin.
Another novel that I actually did read on a beach. A wonderful book, and one of the few works of fiction that I've read more than once.
Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow.
I distinctly recall, years ago now, sitting down to read a few pages of this book early one Friday evening, and not doing much of anything else - including sleep - until I finished the entire thing. Exciting book.
Under the Tuscan Sun, Frances Mayes.
Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
Both Under the Tuscan Sun and Water for Elephants are delightful stories. These are books that you think about when you are off doing other activities, anticipating your return to a good, good read. Perfect for vacation.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Highly Recommended: "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout
Olive Kitteridge is a jewel of a book. In each of this novel's 13 chapters, author Elizabeth Strout tells a story about people living in a small town in Maine. Appearing in each chapter, sometimes as the central figure and other times in just a cameo role, is Olive Kitteridge. Olive is a school teacher, although in much of the book she is retired. But having held that job makes her a character that knows many people in her small hometown, and makes her known to many.
What a lot of these people know about Olive is that she is at times unpleasant. How, they wonder, can her husband Henry stand being married to her? Strout's outstanding writing and brilliant organization of this book shows how their marriage is woven together and why she is someone Henry could love and that we grow to like.
Other characters also grapple with the twists and turns of marriage or of having not married. Grim matters that arise in a life - loneliness, insecurity, unpleasant surprises, death - all make an appearance but the book is not over worked or overly sentimental. Instead, events are vivid. Strout creates people who look ordinary, who even seem flat on the exterior, and then reveals an amazingly clear picture of their interior life as they try and cope with new information and circumstances. These portraits really shine, which is what makes Olive Kitteridge a jewel.
For more information about Olive Kitteridge, check out Melissa Bank's positive review of the book on NPR's You Must Read This.
What a lot of these people know about Olive is that she is at times unpleasant. How, they wonder, can her husband Henry stand being married to her? Strout's outstanding writing and brilliant organization of this book shows how their marriage is woven together and why she is someone Henry could love and that we grow to like.
Other characters also grapple with the twists and turns of marriage or of having not married. Grim matters that arise in a life - loneliness, insecurity, unpleasant surprises, death - all make an appearance but the book is not over worked or overly sentimental. Instead, events are vivid. Strout creates people who look ordinary, who even seem flat on the exterior, and then reveals an amazingly clear picture of their interior life as they try and cope with new information and circumstances. These portraits really shine, which is what makes Olive Kitteridge a jewel.
For more information about Olive Kitteridge, check out Melissa Bank's positive review of the book on NPR's You Must Read This.
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