Lionel trains and time travel, what could be better? Set during the crash of 1929, this adventurous tale is part historical fiction and part fantasy. The beautiful illustrations of Bagram Ibatouline grace this period piece. See the trains at Lionel’s site.
Robin
Another memoir by Mark Salzman - I wish my life were so interesting. Yet it is the everydayness of this book that makes it compelling: raising his daughters, caring for his seriously ill sister, running a household, dealing with unwanted pets. It all feels familiar, so familiar that you can’t stop reading to see how it all turns out.
Robin
Everything about this book is cool…from the concept, to the font, to the shape, to the colorful sketches of book spines (which happen to be accurate). It screams “perfect gift book” and makes a fine complement to My Bookstore , edited by Ronald Rice, for the book lovers and readers in your life. Your most beloved authors/artists write about the books that define their “dreams and ambitions”, in other words what constitutes their ideal bookshelf. This book should be in everyone’s library.
Ellen
Presenting a range of previously uncollected essays, this book truly shows David Foster Wallace’s range as a writer and thinker. From pop culture looks at tennis and Terminator 2, to thoughts on math and words, to one of the most thorough critical explorations of David Markson’s seminal and challenging Wittgenstein’s Mistress, Both Flesh and Not, is more proof of Wallace’s expansive brilliance. And the pages between essays are filled with words from Wallace’s personal dictionary, the list of words and definitions he kept over the course of his life. Worth the price of admission right there.
Josh
Beevor has written several excellent books about particular aspects of the war, and now his complete overview of the subject is a superb addition to the latest generation of WW2 literature. He writes a compelling narrative and brings fresh insights and perspective and pulls it all together beautifully.
Gary
The prologue of this eloquent and haunting memoir describes the bleak circumstances of Becahrd's father's suicide in rural British Columbia when Bechard was only 20 years old. Deni had spent much of his life torn by his father's rages and detached demeanor while trying to forge a bond with the adventurous and thrill seeking side of his dad who had robbed banks and spent time in prison before meeting Bechard's mother. Heartbreaking and honest in its descriptions of the landscape, both emotional and physical.
Ann
From the Duke of Clarence to artist Walter Sickert, there have been dozens of Jack the Ripper suspects. Well-known Ripperologist Robert House, methodically combines historical research and contemporary methods to solve this enduring mystery, which has fascinated the world since the first gruesome murder in 1888.
Nathan
Did you know that squirrels create a mental map of their nut caches and can actively retrieve them using this memory? Turn to page 130 to learn more! Do you know why pigeons bob their heads when they walk, why each snowflake is unique, or why we blush? You will find all the answers within these wonderful pages. Scientific mysteries are explained and illustrated in unique and whimsical essays and drawings. Be sure to read the introduction in which David Macaulay explains how the artwork was paired with each question. This is an immensely readable book, fascinating to look at, and educational as well.
Megan
Artist Edmund de Waal recounts the history of his illustrious family through good times and bad, from the late 19th century, the Holocaust and World War 2 to the present day through the carved eyes of a collection of Japanese miniatures- a fascinating, engrossing and readable best-selling sensation. This gorgeous, lavishly illustrated edition is the best bet of the season and a perfect gift for the history or art buff in your life- or a beautiful treat for yourself.
Marie
Gillian Flynn captured my attention with her portrayal of the “perfectly,” amazing, Amy Elliott Dunne and her husband, Nick. This psychological suspense novel is a story about a marriage gone wrong. It’s about Amy, the cool girl and Nick, her handsome husband; what they do to attract each other and how they evolve over the years while attempting to maintain this “perfect” marriage. On their 5th anniversary, Amy goes missing…from that moment on, the plot is full of twists and turns. If you are a fan of riveting suspense novels, Gillian Flynn’s, Gone Girl is for you.
Barbara
