Good Books Matter

Highy recommended!

The Swerve: How the World Became Modern

Stephen Greenblatt (2011)

This engaging book takes us on a journey from the recovery of a manuscript found on the shelf of a remote monastery in 1417 to present time, elucidating the impact of that scroll on modern thought. The manuscript was Lucretius' ancient poem On the nature of Things (De rerum natura), describing a universe without gods,  made up of very small material particles in constant motion, colliding and swerving. 

A compelling book on ancient philosophy and the influence of early ideas on medieval and modern thinking!

New York Stories

Edited by Diana Secker Tesdell (2011)

This is a little gem of a book, a collection of New York City-inspired stories by an eclectic group of great writers, including Wharton, Kerouc, Cheever, Baldwin, Malamud and more.

Vivd characters bring to life the loneliness and energy of the vibrant city! This is dessert for the mind!  My recommendation: pick up a copy for you and a copy for someone who shares your passion for reading good books!

The Man in the Rockefeller Suit

The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Imposter

Mark Seal (2011)

Clark Rockefeller, presumably a wealthy member of the famous family, kidnapped his daughter in Boston in summer 2008. As police pursued him, it was discovered that this 'Rockefeller' was in fact a German immigrant, Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, who entered the country in 1978 posing as an exchange student. For the next 30 years he stepped in and out of numerous identities,  bluffing his way into exclusive clubs and communities. In 2008, as his trail of deception was finally revealed, it came to light that he may possibly be connected to the disappearance of a California couple in the 1980s.

(Gerhartsreiter was charged wih murder in California on March 15, 2011  for the 1985 killing of John Sohus, 27.)

In the Garden of Beasts

Erik Larson (2011)

In 1933, FDR appointed William E. Dodd, a historian at the University of Chicago, as ambassador to Hitler's Germany. Dodd, with his wife, son, and flamboyant daughter, arrived in Berlin amidst Hitler's continuing rise to power. Told from an eye-witness perspective, the series of events depict the increased violence and the regime's bizarre and sinister leaders. A fascinating, readable, and disturbing account of the rise of the Third Reich.

Lost in Shangri-La

Mitchell Zuckoff (2011)

On May 13, 1945, 24 American servicemen and WACs flew a transport plane for a sightseeing trip over "Shangri-La," a beautiful valley within the jungle-covered mountains of Dutch New Guinea. This is an incredible story of survival and rescue in a remote area following a deadly plane crash and how three badly injured survivors hiked down the mountain in search of help, how a band of paratroopers risked their own lives to save the survivors, and how survivors and rescuers were airlifted out of the jungle. 

Dance Lessons

Aine Greaney (2011)

Writen by a local author, Dance Lessons

is a beautifully written novel about Ellen, who goes to Ireland to find and meet her husband's mother. For all the years he was alive, he maintained that he had no living family in Ireland, but on his death she accidently discovers that his mother is still alive, and she wants to meet her and find out why they had no communication.

The unfolding of the complex relationship and the interaction with the village her husband came from, brings much to light that is sad. Deep wounds have to be examined, but Ellen's sadness is never self-pitying and she doesn't seek pity from the reader. Instead she dares to hold the sadness close long enough to work it through, and while the resolution she achieves is touchingly perfect, it is never intrusive, and is, instead, one of grace and dignity. 

                                                 Review by BP

The Weird Sisters

Eleanor Brown (2011)

The three Andreas sisters have returned to their parents' home to resolve their different life crises. Very different in temperment and each eager to sort out her personal dilemma, the sisters ultimatly reconnect with each other and their parents. Beautifully narrated, full of quotes from Shakespeare (the father is a  professor of Shakespeare!), this is an interesting and enjoyable read! 

Burnt Shadows

Kamila Shamsie (2009)

Seductive prose captures you in the prologue, and draws you into an incredible tale of strength, determination and the definition of family. A 'MUST READ!'

                                        Review by JM

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

Elisabeth Tova Bailey (2010)

This small book is a jewel worth reading again and again! Let this beautiful book be your guide to observing one of nature's smallest and perhaps least understood creatures, the wild snail. As the author's illness shrinks her world, she turns to observing a wild snail residing in a pot of wild flowers on her nightstand. Interesting and poignant, it is a gentle reminder about how we sometimes need to look beyond ourselves to focus on meaning and beauty in life.

Little Princes

One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal

Conor Grennan (2010)

An inspiring true story, at turns sad and funny, of one person's committment to reunite lost children with their families. Amidst the horror of child-trafficking, corruption and civil war, emerges a heart-warming reminder that love and determination can move mountains! You will fall in love with the lost children! 

Luka and the Fire of Life

Salman Rushdie (2010)

Imaginative, magical, delightful! 

Luka is on a quest in the Magic World to steal the Fire of Life in order to save his father Rashid Khalifa, the legendary storyteller of  Kahani,  who has fallen into a very deep sleep.

The book jacket is gorgeous!