How Do I
Leigh Anne's Picks
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Wright, Lauren Tyler Giving--the Sacred Art: Creating a Lifestyle of Generosity Nonfiction |
| As the world grows increasingly more complex and, well, crazy, people with good intentions sometimes throw up their hands and say, "I want to make a difference, but where and how do I start? And will anything I do even make a dent in all the need and craziness?" Wright is here to gently assure you that yes, you can make a difference, and yes, the little things do count. The tone is gently encouraging, the chapters are short (to accommodate our hectic lifestyles, perhaps?), and the content includes lots of practical tips on giving, including strategies for gradually increasing the amount of time, goods, and money you can donate. An overview of the giving traditions, customs and regulations in the major monotheistic religions is helpful, too, as Wright grounds giving within the context of a faith-filled lifestyle. Be warned, however: this is not a slap-dash, "Do these ten things and be a more generous person" handbook. Wright gently, but firmly, calls for a complete lifestyle makeover, one in which we still take care of ourselves, but also think critically about just how much we need, and what we can afford to give to those around us. Recommended for people who want to save the world without losing themselves, or who just want to learn more about the contemporary Christian perspective on giving. Recommended October 2008 |
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Barr, Nevada Seeking Enlightenment, Hat by Hat Nonfiction |
| Barr, best known for her Anna Pigeon mystery series,
speaks candidly of her journey from agnosticism to faith in a series
of short, simple essays on topics such as forgiveness, sin, prayer,
and belief. Barr writes like a subtler, dry-witted Anne Lamott: you
can just imagine the sound of her voice, wryly commenting from the
sidelines while the world hustles and bustles all around her, calmly
stating the principles of what makes sense to her, and the roads she
traveled to get there. The fact that those roads were often not pretty
underlies Barr's credibility, and saves her spiritual journey from
the pitfall of excessive sweetness and light. Described by her pastor
as "still a heathen, but no longer godless," Barr is the perfect companion
for an early-morning cup of coffee and a quiet hour in which to think
about one's own relationship to the divine. Recommended June 2008 |
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Lydon, Susan Gordon The Knitting Sutra: Craft As A Spiritual Practice Nonfiction |
| Today's DIY movement is more than just a passing fad.
In fact, knitting, crochet, embroidery, and other handicrafts have
roots in a variety of cultures, and have been revered as a form of
spiritual expression throughout history. This short, gentle exploration
of the healing power of handicrafts revolves around the author's obsession
with knitting, what it has taught her, how it has helped her mend
(literally and figuratively), and the spiritual experiences to which
it has led her. A swift, yet powerful read that will embrace you like
a homemade sweater and, perhaps, inspire you to bring your own needles
and thread out of hiding. Recommended March 2008 |
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Morgan, Jude Passion Fiction |
| There's something about Mary...Shelley, that is. See
also Caroline Lamb, Augusta Byron, and Fanny Brawne, the women behind
the men of Romantic poetry. Sisters, wives, lovers, and intellectual
sparring partners, these women's experiences are dramatized in Morgan's
tony, yet not stuffy, novel of 19th-century England. Stifled by their
times and circumscribed by their passions, these women of wit and
promise appear both strong and poignant when viewed through Morgan's
lens. While the narrative style wobbles in places, the characters'
voices are strong and distinct, with Caroline Lamb's calm, yet chilling,
descriptions of her Byronic obsession taking center stage. Readers
besotted with 19th-century poetry should definitely take a look; lovers
of historical fiction in general will want to try it on for size,
and those who like reading about women's issues and problems will
find fertile ground here for discussion and debate. Recommended January 2008 |
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Schatz, Hale Sofia If the Buddha Came to Dinner Nonfiction |
| If Jesus, the Goddess, Buddha, or Mohammed were coming
to your house for dinner, you wouldn't give them garbage. So why don't
we treat our own bodies with respect? This provocative logic is the
cornerstone of Schatz's guide to nutrition and wellness. In a departure
from conventional advice, Schatz suggests that a good relationship
with food should begin with a close examination of one's emotional
and spiritual nourishment patterns. Probing questions, asked with
compassion and care, are peppered throughout the text, giving readers
open to suggestion another way to look at their concerns about true
nourishment and optimal wellness. Although no consumer health guide
should substitute for the advice of one's own physician, Schatz's
book is intriguing reading for people searching for a different way
to look at the food they eat, and open to spiritual advice about changing
their eating habits. Recommended for consumers and medical professionals
who have found works by Andrew Weil and Deepak Chopra helpful in their
healthcare choices or practice. Recommended October 2007 |
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Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Fiction |
| Is there room in the court of public opinion for one
more review of the year's most frequently hyped book? I believe there
is, if only for the sake of those who would avoid this series for
fear of "unsavory elements." Skeptical readers who are willing to
take a leap of faith, and begin with the first volume, will find themselves
well-rewarded by the time they reach the final, action-packed chapters
of this brilliant conclusion, in which Rowling tips her hand to reveal
a larger pattern that's clearly influenced by C.S. Lewis's Chronicles
of Narnia. After many dreadful revelations and upsets, Harry
finally learns the truth about his own destiny, and takes up his final
task with such fortitude that only the most hard-hearted reader could
fail to be moved. Without giving away the ending, I can only assure
you that you will not be sorry you signed up for several thousand
pages of fantasy adventure, especially when the ultimate payoff is
so sweetly satisfying. Think of it as a riddle with a very long set-up,
and a surprising punchline. Want a hint? "Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also." Recommended for children ages 11-99,
and the wizards and Muggles who love them. Recommended September 2007 |
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| Rankin, Robert The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse Fiction |
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| The tone is dry, the plot is twisted, and the title is
priceless: when young Jack goes off to the City to make his fortune,
he never imagines his new best friends and sworn adversaries would
be...toys. Having lost his horse and most of his money, Jack tries
to keep from losing his mind in a metropolis where fairy tales come
to life, humans are rare, and nursery rhyme characters are known as
"pre-adolescent personalities." Befriended by Eddie Bear (a fuzzy,
boozy Guy Noir of a teddy), Jack finds himself swept up in the hunt
for a serial killer who's taking out targets like Humpty Dumpty and
Little Boy Blue, leaving hollow chocolate bunnies as his calling card.
If your reading tastes regularly park at the corner of Snark and Parody,
you'll want to pull up a chair for this droll afternoon-burner of
a book. Recommended August 2007 |
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Franklin, Ariana Mistress of the Art of Death Fiction |
| 12th-century England was no picnic, despite the glossy
patina of legend. Readers who appreciate accurate historical fiction
will find themselves intrigued--and, quite possibly, repulsed--by
the circumstances in which Franklin's heroine, Vesuvia Adelia Rachel
Ortesia Aguilar, operates in this mystery that piles on unpleasant
truths in the best possible way. Our creeptastic tale begins in the
year 1170, with the murder of several Christian children in Cambridge.
The local Jewish community is blamed, and Henry II (who depends heavily
on the tax revenue from said community) is forced to send to Salerno,
Italy for a forensics expert, or "master of the art of death." The
wily dean of medicine sends, instead of a master, his best mistress
of said art, the aforementioned Adelia, who, despite fears of being
tried as a witch, is so appalled by child murder that she is determined
to find the fiend and bring him to justice. Accompanied by her protectors,
Simon and Mansur, Adelia struggles against the ignorance and prejudice
endemic to her times while treating the sick of Cambridge, examining
the children's corpses for clues, and longing for her far-more-enlightened
homeland. Rife with bawdy language, poor hygeine, and statements of
appalling taste to contemporary ears, Franklin's novel is, nonetheless,
a jawdrop of a page-turner that shatters any illusions the reader
might have had about "the good old days." Recommended for CSI-loving
types who prefer their historical depictions hard-boiled, as opposed
to sunny-side-up, and don't mind being shocked and appalled every
few pages or so. Recommended July 2007 |
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Bray, Libba A Great and Terrible Beauty Teen Fiction |
| "I change the world; the world changes me." This is just
one of the many lessons Gemma Doyle ponders as she struggles with
the changes and challenges of adolescence. On top of the usual concerns
teenage girls have--will I make friends? Will the boy I admire like
me back?--Gemma's got a laundry list of other problems to tackle.
For one thing, she's convinced she caused her mother's death. For
another, she's started having strange visions of other worlds. And
did I mention that the year is 1895, the place is England, and Gemma's
corset is just the most visible symbol of all the forces that seek
to stop her from becoming what and who she's meant to become? Deliciously
laced with all the trappings of an old-school Gothic novel, Bray's
attempt to weave history, poetry, magic and teenage angst is a thrilling
read for folks who fancy the Victorian era, a good adventure story,
and/or tales about girls coming into their own. Careful readers will
quickly figure out the novel's secrets, including who the mysterious
Mary Dowd really is. However, this shouldn't spoil the fun of tearing
through page after page of dark and stormy nights, hidden diaries,
locked rooms, scandalous secrets, after-hours girls' school escapades,
and enchanting visits to other worlds. Once you've devoured this novel,
you can move on to its sequel, Rebel Angels, for more historical facts
and fancy. Recommended for the young and quirky, the older and nostalgic,
and anyone who's ever stayed up all night to finish a novel by candlelight
while rain poured down in great sheets outside the window. Recommended June 2007 |
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Moore, Richard Boneyard Graphic Novels |
| When Michael Paris travels to the town of Raven's Hollow
to collect his inheritance, he gets a lot more than he bargained for...namely,
a cemetery teeming with supernatural creatures, and a distressed citizenry
eager to boot them out. Vowing to postpone his decision about the
boneyard's fate until he has more evidence, Michael gets to know the
townspeople (breathing and otherwise), and learns that there's a lot
more going on in Raven's Hollow than meets the eye. This delightful
graphic series is packed with visual and verbal horror-trope gags
that will have adults (and older, sophisticated teens) chuckling,
if not outright laughing aloud, as Moore tackles a very serious question--what
IS evil, anyway?--in a most delightful fashion. If you've ever laughed
your way through an episode of MST3K, written a Buffyverse fanfic,
or had a serious argument with anyone about which vampire clan would
win in a fight, you might want to take a snicker-break and hit the
Boneyard. Recommended May 2007 |
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Bohjalian, Chris Before You Know Kindness Fiction |
| Meat or meat-free? This is the personal-political choice
that forms the backbone of Bohjalian's stunning novel about a middle-class
family on the Eastern seaboard. The action begins with a devestating
accident at a summer home in New Hampshire, then spirals back in time
to examine how the prinicpal players (and one dangerous prop) came
to be there. The primary action revolves around Spencer, a committed
animal rights advocate, and his wife Christine, who agrees with Spencer's
principles in public, but sneaks Slim-Jims on the side. Their daughter,
Charlotte, can't understand why she's not allowed to wear leather
skirts or use certain kinds of makeup, and Nan, the family matriarch,
can't understand how anyone could choose to live a life without meat.
A pack of hungry deer, a father's desire to bond with his son, and
the memory of countless lobster dinners contribute to Bohjalian's
thoughtful examination of how the carnivore wars look from all sides
of the spectrum. By itself alone this attention to structure and theme
would make for a satisfying reading experience, but Bohjalian goes
even deeper, fleshing out his characters' personality quirks and lacing
family interactions with serious questions: what, exactly, is kindness?
Who is deserving of love, and why? What is our responsibility to each
other, and does it or does it not trump our responsibility to the
planet? Can the two duties co-exist peacefully without personal sacrifice?
Bohjalian offers no easy answers, but, instead, raises all sorts of
passionate, prickly questions that make this novel an excellent choice
for book groups who enjoy a healthy debate of social issues, wrapped
in an engaging narrative. Four stars and a vegan griller, hold the
soy cheese. Recommended April 2007 |
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Winston, Lolly Good Grief Fiction |
| Much like actual grief, Lolly Winston's novel Good
Grief is easier to process than to describe. Not that processing
grief is a picnic, as Sophie finds out when she becomes a widow at
thirty-six. Despite antidepressants, a therapist, a support group,
and a frighteningly efficient mother-in-law, Sophie is having difficulty
getting it together. The chance to start over in another state might
be the antidote...that is, if Sophie can get past the notion that
there's a "right" way to be a widow. If you have ever lost someone,
you will appreciate the skill with which Winston depicts the stages
of grieving without toppling over into Hallmark sentimentality or
movie-of-the-week melodrama. Sophie handles the challenges of her
post-married life much in the same way anyone else would handle a
difficult burden: with confusion, creative improvisation, panic, biting
humor, lots of Oreos, secret reservoirs of inner strength, and, ultimately
glimmers of grace. A well-written piece of women's fiction, yet with
the pacing of chick lit, recommended for readers who appreciate well-rounded
protagonists, unusual plots, or the gumption it takes to get up and
start all over again. Recommended March 2007 |
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Kochalka, James American Elf: The Collected Sketchbook Diaries of James Kochalka Graphic Novels |
| From Samuel Pepys on down to today's bustling blogosphere,
the urge to chronicle the minutiae of one's life persists. Kochalka's
warm, witty, and often poignant sketchbook chronicles the random,
ordinary moments that make up his multiple identites as husband, friend,
comic book artist, and musician. Kochalka draws himself as Magic Boy,
an elf from one of his comics, and often depicts his friends as dogs,
frogs, and other odd creatures (poor Colin, for example, gets only
one Cyclopean eye). This lends an air of bemused detachment to ordinary
events like watching leaves fall, drinking beer, flying on airplanes,
and, quite often, "rocking hard." The strips are by turns earthy and
contemplative. For example, a panel showing Kochalka urinating in
the great outdoors or cannoodling with his wife, Amy, might be followed
up by ruminations on 9/11, or questions about whether or not he's
ready to be a father. Taken as a whole, these seemingly random events
in the life of an ordinary guy become the epic story of Everyman,
trying to live, love, and have fun in a world that often throws more
curveballs than the average batter is prepared to hit. Recommended
for those who like their comics true-to-life and down-to-earth, or
simply enjoy silly, Rabelaisian peeks into other people's lives. Recommended February 2007 |
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Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer Sorcery & Cecelia, or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot Fiction |
| Readers who enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
or Pride and Prejudice might enjoy this charming novel that combines
the historical elements of Regency London with the current craze for
books about magic. When Kate goes off to London for her first Season,
she writes to her cousin Cecelia to tell her about all the goings-on
in the city, including her curious misadventure at the Royal College
of Wizards. Cecy, for her part, has plenty of stories to tell Kate,
especially when a mysterious new girl in the neighborhood turns the
heads of all the young gentlemen. Is natural charm involved, or that
of an entirely different kind? The girls' adventures entwine around
the presence of a mysterious Marquis, a series of charm bags, and
the search for a very important chocolate pot. The epistolary narrative
works beautifully in terms of creating suspense, and the authors cleverly
weave the story elements together into a conclusion that's both pleasing
and believable (considering that half the characters in the novel
turn out to be magicians, this is no mean feat). Recommended for teen
and adult readers searching for something suspenseful and fanciful,
and who relish a good (yet wholesome) Regency love story. Recommended by Leigh Anne, February 2007 |
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Russell Banks The Sweet Hereafter Fiction |
| Some people are incapable of watching a film until they've
read the book on which it was based. I am one of those people. Whenever
I'm teased about this proclivity, I point to books like The Sweet
Hereafter to support my case. Banks's tale of a tragic school
bus accident and its aftermath grabbed me by the throat on page one,
and didn't let me go until the bitter end, and while Atom Egoyan's
companion film of the same name is very good, it cannot compare to
the exquisite horror of tracing that fatal bus ride through the driver's
memory, knowing what's coming, but not how, powerless to stop it even
if you did. Subsequent chapters alternate narrators, describing the
weight of the grief, guilt and anger various parents and survivors
feel. Russell even manages to bring a sense of gravitas and honor
to the motives of a big-city lawyer who comes to Sam Dent to initiate
a class-action suit on behalf of the bereaved parents. If you liked
the film The Sweet Hereafter, you should definitely pick up
the book and drink deeply from the dark and brackish well that inspired
it. If this is your first exposure to either work, why not try both
and make the comparison yourself? Recommended by Leigh Anne, January 2007 |
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Dobson, Joanne Quieter Than Sleep Mystery |
| Higher education sure is murder. At least, it is if you're
a 19th-century American Literature scholar at Enfield College. Karen
Pelletier, who specializes in Emily Dickinson studies, is thrust into
a web of murderous intrigue when a lecherous colleague's corpse literally
falls into her arms at the annual Christmas party. Who would strangle
a professor with his own tie? Karen matches wits with a variety of
suspects and struggles to win the trust of the skeptical police detective
(who doesn't have much use for "college folk") assigned to the case.
Readers who enjoy mysteries for their plot will probably figure out
who the killer is halfway through (I did!). However, what makes this
novel fascinating is its deliberate engagement with class issues:
as Karen struggles with the variance between her blue-collar roots
and her white-collar profession, she is forced to look beyond her
own biases and see the people and routines of Enfield college in a
new light. There's also a touch of sultry romantic subtext, for those
who like a good flirtation, and perhaps the best mystery here is which
one of Karen's attractive admirers will win her affections. Recommended
for mystery lovers from all class strata who like their books smart
AND fun. Recommended by Leigh Anne, December 2006 |
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| Akeelah and the Bee DVD |
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| Hunting for a fun, inspirational family film? Get yourself
on the list for Akeelah and the Bee, because it's definitely
worth the wait. Eleven-year-old Akeelah Anderson has a natural gift
for words and language, but she's afraid of her own potential. With
the help of a tough, but supportive, coach (played by Lawrence Fishburne)
and the sometimes misguided, but always well-intentioned love of her
family (epitomized by Angela Bassett as Akeelah's gritty, no-nonsense
mom), Akeelah overcomes her fears and learns to let her inner light
shine. The storyline is simple, yet lacking in the saccharine and
melodrama that often mar family-friendly movies. Instead, the filmmakers
present Akeelah with a string of realistic challenges that she navigates
all the way to the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee. Getting there,
though, is definitely half the fun - you'll find yourself on the edge
of your seat as Akeelah tackles difficult words and difficult life
lessons. Does Akeelah have what it takes to bring home the national
championship trophy? Borrow this movie and cheer her on. See also
Spellbound, the excellent documentary on real-life word wizards
who battle it out on ESPN. Recommended by Leigh Anne, August 2006 |
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O'Faolain, Nuala My Dream of You Fiction |
| Journeys to health and wholeness are usually pockmarked
with periods of ugliness and despair. O'Faolain, best known for her
award-winning memoir, Are You Somebody?, makes this abundantly
clear in her painfully frank debut novel. Stunned by the premature
death of her best friend, Kathleen de Burca quits her job as a travel
writer and returns to Ireland on a whim to research the facts behind
the Talbot divorce case, a scandal set during the Great Famine. As
Kathleen unravels the facts behind William Mullen and Marianne Talbot's
sordid (or was it?) affair, she comes to terms with her own life's
traumas. Redemptive, movie-of-the-week fare this is not; O'Faolain
pulls no punches in her descriptions of Kathleen's past hurts, which
include sexual assault and parental neglect. However, as Kathleen
grows to a better understanding of how her life has taken form, she
also finds the courage to move forward and make changes, painful though
they may be. Readers who enjoy realistic fiction will appreciate O'Faolin's
gritty, determined heroine and her self-deprecating humor; those who
appreciate a well-constructed plot will revel in the way the author
gradually unfolds the secrets of both the Talbots and the de Burcas.
Although the novel-within-a-novel structure tends to err on the side
of hackneyed, O'Faolain executes it beautifully, leaving the reader
anxious to learn what the truth of the Talbot affair really is. Passionate,
emotional, and decidedly earthy, My Dream of You is the perfect
novel for those who know all too well that it's easy to talk the talk,
but harder to walk the walk. Recommended by Leigh Anne, August 2006 |
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Alexander, William The $64 Tomato Nonfiction |
| If you've ever renovated a house, hired a contractor,
or planted a garden, you just might get a wicked frisson of schadenfreude
from Alexander's misadventures in the Hudson River Valley. After his
wife falls in love with a fixer-upper property, known locally as "The
Old Brown House," Alexander finds himself plunged into near-constant
battles with weeds, critters, and a rotation of neighbors who serve
as temporary help, with often disastrous results. Each chapter illuminates
a particular man versus nature struggle, with Alexander taking the
pratfall each time a critter, weed, or handyman doesn't live up to
his grand expectations. It's a one-trick narrative technique, but
the tricks are so delightful, and Alexander's dry "I know better now"
tone so perfect, the reader can't help but be charmed by the details.
Chapter titles like "Christopher Walken, Gardner" and "Childbirth.
Da Vinci. Potatoes.," will lure you in; Alexander's wry prose, snappy
sentences, and obvious respect for animal and plant life, will keep
you reading. Recommended for fans of humorous non-fiction, especially
those who enjoy Bill Bryson. Recommended by Leigh Anne, June 2006 |
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Claudel, Philippe By A Slow River Mystery |
| Originally published in 2003 as Les Ames Grises,
this literary mystery will be available in English in June 2006. I
got my hands on an advance galley, and am pleased to report that it's
definitely worth waiting for. In 1917, miles away from the French
front, a ten-year-old girl is found strangled near a riverbank. The
murder investigation, as revealed in the private memoirs of a policeman
assigned to the case, seems to implicate Pierre-Ange Destinat, the
town prosecutor. By virtue of his social position, however, he is
summarily dismissed as a suspect by the mayor. Could an upright, virtuous
man have committed such an awful crime? Claudel leads us from this
ghastly question to other, equally disturbing ones as he unravels
the history of secrets and lies that pervades the village. At times
it's hard to believe that a simple country policeman could be so lyrical
and yet so earthy at once; however, as the plot unfolds, it becomes
clear that Claudel is really talking about the horrors of war, and
how huge social concerns seep down into individual thoughts and acts.
That he does this by suggestion, and not by beating the reader over
the head with the carnage of WWI, is admirable; however, Claudel pulls
no punches about the realities of battle, leaving you to wonder, as
you learn one last secret in the final pages, is anyone truly good
or beautiful? Or has war spoiled us forever? Recommended by Leigh Anne, June 2006 |
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Beck, Martha Leaving the Saints Nonfiction |
| Most people are taught that certain things shouldn't
be discussed in polite company. For those readers who have always
chafed under such restrictions, there's Martha Beck to light a path.
Best known as a regular advice columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine,
Beck steps outside this oeuvre to deliver a passionate, poignant account
of her childhood in the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Framed by an
ongoing confrontation with her father in a hotel room, Beck's narrative
alternates between her present and her past, candidly exploring how
her own personal experience as a Mormon fits into the history of the
faith and its treatment of women in general. The story is not, however,
a blanket condemnation of the LDS; Beck writes with genuine affection
and anguish, clearly illustrating the pain of growing away from a
tradition that mixed its abuses with so much direction, love and support.
Alternately snarky and heartbreaking, Beck's sincere search for the
divine will appeal to readers who are curious about Mormonism, or
who find inspiration and comfort in others' personal faith journeys.
Recommended for those who have enjoyed the blunt, earthy meanderings
of Anne Lamott, though fans of Sue Monk Kidd may find it a little
too graphic for comfort. Recommended by Leigh Anne, February 2006 |
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Smartypants, Mimi The World According to Mimi Smartypants Fiction |
| Don't judge this book by its cover. If you do, you might
pick up this novel assuming it's chick lit, and while chick lit can
be wonderful, this is not it. What Mimi Smartypants has given us is
a series of amusing rants and speculations, as first published in
her blog, designed to make ambivalent thirtysomethings feel better
about themselves just the way they are, in a singular, "still attached
to my goth phase and loving it, thank you very much," style. See Mimi
chat on IM about the raunchy innuendo inherent in medieval cookbooks.
See Mimi take pleasure in the foibles of various public transit eccentrics.
See Mimi subvert the corporate hegemony by keeping an electric teakettle
in her office and using it with reckless abandon, despite many sternly-worded
memos forbidding this action. In short, see Mimi cheerfully dismantle
the notion that anybody, ever, is "all grown up," or has anything
"figured out." It's okay, the book argues. It's okay to be sad and
confused. It's okay to be strange and neurotic and cranky and quirky.
It's even okay to wear combat boots with fingerless gloves if that
makes you happy, and make inappropriate remarks to strangers on trains,
provided they provoked you first. Recommended for thirtysomething
female readers, the men who love them, and anyone who shares Mimi's
dictum that "There is no such thing as one beer." Recommended by Leigh Anne, February 2006 |
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Dickens, Charles Our Mutual Friend Fiction |
| Often overlooked in the classic book lover's mad rush
to pore over Great
Expectations or David
Copperfield one more time, Dickens' last complete novel is the
fitting cap to an accomplished career. Peopled with the diverse range
of sweethearts and scoundrels one expects from the master, this book
will delight those who read Dickens for his oddly amusing characters.
The central plot revolves around John Harmon, who will inherit a fortune
if he marries Bella Wilfer, a lovely, yet misguided, young lady with
materialistic goals; an accident at sea gives Harmon the opportunity
to court Bella in disguise, and attempt to mold her character into
something a little more tractable. Meanwhile, impoverished young Lizzie
Hexam, who makes her living as a waterwoman, finds herself in a love
triangle with two completely inappropriate men, one of whom frightens
her deeply, while the other tempts her to thoughts of a life far above
her station. Secrets, lies, mistaken identity and the blurring of
social roles, to say nothing of the inevitable criss-crossing of plots
and subplots, make this broody novel a fascinating read for a chilly
December night. Recommended by Leigh Anne, December 2005 |
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| Carhart, Thad The Piano Shop on the Left Bank Nonfiction |
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| In the grand tradition of American expatriates in Paris,
Carhart experiences great passion in the City of Lights. His muse,
however, is not a lovely lady; instead, he is captivated by Desforges
Pianos, a music store he passes every day while taking his children
to school. After several frustrated attempts at penetrating the owner's
reserve, Carhart finally gains access to the atelier and meets Luc,
the storekeeper, who helps Carhart revive his long-lost desire to
own a piano and play it regularly. Written in a passionately affectionate
style, this memoir will touch anyone who has ever opened his or her
heart to the power of music. Recommended by Leigh Anne, November 2005 |
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| Price, Robert M., ed. The New Lovecraft Circle Horror |
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| Imitation has always been the sincerest form of flattery,
and nowhere in fiction is this more true than in H.P. Lovecraft's
Cthullu Mythos, a body of work that began with his own creations and
extended its tentacles throughout horror fiction with Lovecraft's
permission. The collection begins with a helpful essay that explains
why this isn't a flagrant copyright violation, and also sets out some
ground rules for what, in the editor's opinion, makes a story a legitimate
part of the Mythos. If you're not in the mood for scholarship, you
can turn directly to the twenty-five stories, which vary in quality,
but have some common elements: ancient gods (mostly icky), ancient
languages (mostly indecipherable, unless you're the last scion of
a long line of wizards), and ancient secrets (most better left alone,
all inevitably unearthed by pale, thin, scholarly men whose curiosity
tends to do more harm than good). It's not a pretty view of the universe,
this notion that beyond the fragile scrim of our dimension there are
nasty things with teeth that want their planet back. However, if you
want to be scared senseless, you can't do much better than this, unless
you grab a volume of the original source material, which I also highly
recommend. Recommended by Leigh Anne, October 2005 |
|
| Wheeler, Thomas The Arcanum Fiction |
|
| If books were fruit, Thomas Wheeler's first novel would
be a tangelo: a curious hybrid creature, known for its juicy pulpiness
and strange bite. Imagine, if you will, that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
were the head of a secret society dedicated to defeating the forces
of evil. Imagine further that said society's fractious, squabbling
members included Harry Houdini, Marie Laveau, and H.P. Lovecraft.
This unlikely (in more ways than one) cadre of heroes is then plunged
into a fast-paced series of events and adventures that feature William
Randolph Hearst and Aleister Crowley as supporting characters, a book
of apocryphal scripture, a series of grisly murders, a host of gem-eyed
demons, a highly disturbing seance, frustrated sexual advances, unrequited
love, and more underground horrors than you can shake a very large
walking stick at. Wheeler, a veteran screenwriter, has sacrificed
character development here for plot; in fact, the short, descriptive
chapters read as if he were trying to make it as easy as possible
for someone to write the film treatment, and most of the dialogue
is better left imagined than described. The book, however, works on two levels: readers familiar with the subject matter will have a good time wrestling with the novel's historical accuracy, while fans of weird, pulpalicious smackdowns will relish the chases and fight sequences, as well as the gloomy, desperate atmosphere in which they're soaked. By no means a literary classic, this is, nevertheless, the sort of book that, to borrow the fictional Lovecraft's point of view, "makes a dull, gray world suddenly quite remarkable" (250). Recommended for adult readers who like their escapism wrapped up with a little history and a lot of modern-day Matthew Lewis sensibility. Recommended by Leigh Anne, September 2005 |
|
| See, Lisa Snow Flower and the Secret Fan Fiction |
|
| Lily and Snow Flower are laotong, or "old sames."
This means they chose to draw up a contract that makes them soul friends
for life. But life is very long, and sometimes hard, and the girls'
relationship is tested and strained at numerous points as they grow
to womanhood in ancient China. Reminiscent of Pearl S. Buck, but more
intimately concerned with the secret world of women, Lisa See's delicate
historical novel is a story of secrets and lies, love and letters,
wishes and writing, friendship and fracture. These various plot threads
are framed against the rigid structure of a society that considers
a woman worthless unless she bears sons, and binds her feet to suit
its own cruel conception of beauty. See's elegantly restrained prose
and meticulous attention to detail knocked me out; if you like character-driven
historical fiction, and enjoy reading about women's friendships, you
will definitely want to give this novel a try. Recommended by Leigh Anne, August 2005 |
|
| Vance, Jack Tales of the Dying Earth Fiction |
|
| If the sun were only a few short years from burning out,
how would you live your life? If you were a magician or an adventurer
in Vance's "Dying Earth" series, your goal would be to make your existence
as pleasant and comfortable as possible in the face of oblivion. This
collection of the four novellas in the "Dying Earth" series follows
the adventures of various spellcasters and wanderers as they travel
the globe searching for treasure, magical artifacts, and as many creature
comforts as they can acquire. Trickery, guile and deceit abound, and
loyalty and love are rare, making them all the sweeter when they pop
up in unexpected places. My favorite of the four, "Rhialto the Marvellous,"
pits the foppish Rhialto against his brother magicians in their quest
for magical stones, political influence, and the attentions of the
fairer sex. Vance--a/k/a John Holbrook Vance, a/k/a Ellery Queen--is
a highly literate, painfully sardonic writer who clearly keeps a dictionary
on hand at all times, in order to use strange and unusual words. The
effect, however, is more pleasing than pedantic; if you enjoy dreamily
strange fantasy novels with dry, wry humor, you should definitely
pick up this collection. Recommended by Leigh Anne, August 2005 |
|
| Aihara, Koji Even A Monkey Can Draw Manga Graphic Novel |
|
| Manga, for the uninitiated, is the generic term for Japanese
comic books. However, it's ever so much more than that, as this tongue-in-cheek
guide to the format makes clear. Presented as a series of writing
and drawing lessons, this graphic novel actually serves as a salty
critique of the many different styles of manga currently available.
From choosing a pen name to submitting your work to publishers, each
step of the writing process is blown up to mega-dramatic proportions
for the purpose of cracking you up. I have to say that it worked for
me; I knew very little about manga when I started this book, and now
I can say I've learned something, while getting a good chuckle at
the same time. In fact, I'm willing to be that the jokes are even
funnier if you're a manga aficianado. Recommended for adults, with
or without a background in the format, who enjoy a good satire, and
don't mind a few Rabelaisian moments while reading. Recommended by Leigh Anne, August 2005 |
|
| Grandcolas, Lauren Catuzzi You Can Do It! The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-up Girls NonFiction |
|
| Did you really enjoy your tenure in Girl Scouts? Or did
you miss out on merit badges, and have always felt a little pang at
the thought of them? Fret no more, as there is now a brightly-colored,
clearly organized handbook of adventurous goodness to help you identify
and achieve your goals. Who says dreams are just for kids? Grandcolas's
handbook contains an introductory chapter on dreaming and goal-setting,
then offers a variety of different adventures to choose from and achieve
a "badge" for completing (represented by darling little stickers that
come with the handbook). For each activity, be it dancing, cooking,
starting a business or traveling the globe, you get a set of concrete
steps that gently help you explore new territory. You also get a reading/resource
list and advice from an expert, who is interviewed at length about
her dedication to the path in which you're dabbling. Highly recommended
for women of all ages who want to make positive, lasting changes in
their lives, and have a lot of fun doing it. Recommended by Leigh Anne, July 2005 |
|
| Townsend, J. D. The Assassin's Dream Fiction |
|
| When a disease eliminates 3/4 of the Earth's male population,
the women re-organize the government into a series of World Councils,
which strive to improve the world through genetic manipulation. What
constitutes improvement, however, is called into question when K-class
Assassin Kay Black has a disturbing experience during what should
have been a routine assignment. Kay, and others like her, are the
products of an underground genetic crusade that has a different vision
of humanity's destiny than the Councils' As the superhumans awake
to their potential, political chaos and intrigue ensue on multiple
levels as the various sisterhoods battle it out for the right to shape
Earth's future. As I read, I found myself chilled, fascinated, disturbed
and encouraged by turns; if you like political intrigue and/or dystopian
sci-fi, you will probably enjoy this disturbing excursion into the
world of "what-if." Recommended by Leigh Anne, July 2005 |
|
| Mosley, Walter 47 Fiction |
|
| You already know and love Mosley's mystery fiction, particularly
his gripping, gritty novels about private investigator Easy Rawlins.
Now you have a chance to experience Walter Mosely in a whole new way
as he turns his attention to young adult fiction. Forty-seven is a
slave on Tobias Stewart's Corinthian Plantation, which means his life
is seemingly destined to be nasty, brutish and short. When a runaway
slave named Tall John appears on the plantation, however, everything
Forty-seven thinks he knows about life is turned upside down. Tall
John is actually a being from another planet, come to find the chosen
one who will save not just Earth, but the entire universe, from the
evil machinations of a creature called Wall. This amazing, cross-genre
story combines the brutal realities of a slave narrative with the
magic and mystery of a fantasy novel. Without being preachy or didactic,
Tall John shows Forty-seven (and the reader) what it means to be a
free man in a chained world. This is a great novel for parents and
children to read together, as it works on several levels, and will
give readers of any age plenty to talk about. Recommended for readers
aged thirteen and up. Recommended by Leigh Anne, June 2005 |
|
| Gordon, Mary Pearl Fiction |
|
| Pearl Meyers traveled to Ireland to study linguistics.
How is it, then, that we find her now chained to the American Embassy
in Dublin, close to death from starvation? Maria, Joseph and Hazel
ask themselves this question as they struggle, each in his/her own
way, to convince Pearl that life is too precious to throw away, even
for a political cause. Told largely in flashback, the novel explores
how religion, politics, and the circumstances of birth make us who
we are, and shape our relationship to the divine. Although the omniscient
narrator's tone is sometimes gratingly pedantic, the narrative is
arresting enough to hold all but the most anti-intellectual reader's
attention. Pearl's grief over her supposed transgressions, Maria's
stubborn blindness to her own faults, and Joseph's temporary flirtation
with madness weave around each other like silken cords, which Hazel,
Pearl's doctor, must skillfully unwind without slicing the bonds.
This book will appeal to those who like literary fiction, as well
as those who like to read about spiritual conflicts and crises. A
compelling read. Recommended by Leigh Anne, May 2005 |
|
| Hautman, Pete Godless Fiction |
|
| This award-winning young adult novel rocked my world
with its snappy dialogue and wry perspective. Jason Bock doesn't believe
in God. This causes some friction at home and at church, so he decides
to invent his own religion in an attempt to prove how stupid organized
religion is. Much like bona fide religious faiths, Jason's starts
to take interesting turns as his friends get involved and worship
"The Ten-legged One" in different ways. What knocked me out about
this story was its honest dialogue; nobody comes off as preachy or
sulky in this story - just as normal teenagers trying to figure out
what they believe, and concerned parents who want their children to
be healthy and happy. Lest this sound preachy, let me assure you that
there's plenty of teenage geekboy slang and behavior to love, a subtle
romantic subplot, and more snails than you can possibly count. Recommended
for teens looking for fiction with an edge to it, as well as open-minded
adults. Recommended by Leigh Anne, March 2005 |
|
| Patterson, Richard North Conviction Fiction |
|
| Terri Paget has fifty-nine days to convince the California
courts that her client, Rennell Price, is innocent of the horrific
crime for which he has been sentenced to death by lethal injection.
This complex, compassionate legal thriller ramps up the suspense page
after page and never lets you take anything for granted. Each chapter
reveals more about the accused murderer, his victim, the gritty subcultures
in which they were raised, and the dark secrets that make achieving
justice for Rennell so important to Terri and her family. Patterson's
plot unfolds like a poisoned flower, revealing in its petal-pages
just how difficult moral, ethical, and legal decisions about the death
penalty are. If you like fiction about contemporary issues and social
justice--or the lack thereof--you'll definitely like Conviction.
Recommended by Leigh Anne, March 2005 |
|
| Fisher, Len How to Dunk a Doughnut: The Science of Everyday Life NonFiction |
|
| If you've ever wondered why mundane things work the way
they do, you'll get a big kick out of Fisher's tongue-in-cheek explanations
of the forces that govern everyday activities like cooking, shopping,
and home repair. If you've ever caught a ball or thrown a boomerang,
you'll appreciate Fisher's forays into the physics of sports. If you
like beer or bubble bath, you'll appreciate the chapter on all things
foamy. And if you're searching for just the right language to have
"the talk" with your kids, you can skip directly to the chapter entitled
"The Physics of Sex." This deceptively slim book is jam-packed with
fun facts written in folksy, down-to-earth language that illuminates
just how mysterious and wondrous life's simple activities can be.
And if that isn't enough for you, Fisher actually includes a technique
for dunking cookies that will keep sludgy residue from the bottom
of your coffee cup. Who could ask for anything more? Strongly recommended
for non-fiction readers who like to win bar bets or impress friends
at parties. Recommended by Leigh Anne, March 2005 |
|
| Waxman, Sharon Rebels on the Backlot: Six Maverick Directors and How They Conquered the Hollywood Studio System NonFiction |
|
| Fight Club. Boogie Nights. Being John
Malkovich. The most arresting films of the 1990s were directed
by a small clique of auteurs determined to break new ground in Hollywood.
Waxman weaves the tales of six directors together to create a picture
of a decade in film, with enjoyable results. Most of the content favors
the average moviegoer, but film buffs will enjoy picking up a tidbit
or two they might not have known about, say, Steven Soderbergh's creative
slump or Paul Thomas Anderson's near-paralytic inability to cut a
film down to two-hour length. In fact, the only real drawback to Waxman's
storyline is its excessive fixation on Quentin Tarantino's bad behavior,
which is neither breaking news nor very interesting. On the whole,
however, the narrative is amusing and arresting, a neat portrait of
rebels and rulebreakers whose weapon of choice is the motion picture.
Recommended by Leigh Anne, March 2005 |
|
| Haruf, Kent Eventide Fiction |
|
| Ah, look at all the lonely people in Holt, Colorado.
In this sequel to his best-selling novel, Plainsong,
Haruf continues the story of the McPheron brothers, their friend Victoria
Robideaux, and her daughter Katie. However, the novel is also a story
about quiet desperation, bad choices, and dashed hopes. Resignation
blankets both the major and minor characters as they weave in and
out of each other's lives, changing each other occasionally for the
better, but most often for the worse. If you're hoping to escape from
everyday life and its problems, this novel isn't for you. If, however,
you'd like to read a story about ordinary people trying to scrape
by with as much dignity as they can muster, you should definitely
take a look at Eventide. Recommended by Leigh Anne, February 2005 |
|
|
Kidd, Sue Monk The Secret Life of Bees Fiction |
| "Lily Melissa Owens, your jar is open." With only this
mysterious wisdom from out of thin air and a portrait of the Black
Madonna to guide her, fourteen-year-old Lily travels to Tiburon, South
Carolina to create a new future for herself. Accompanied by her grumpy,
yet devoted, housekeeper, Rosaleen, Lily is taken in by August Boatwright,
a beekeeper who sells honey, candles and other bee products to the
townspeople of Tiburon. However, while these details constitute the
backbone of the plot, no simple summary can begin to do justice to
the moving beauty and sumptuous grace of Kidd's complex first novel
about mothers lost, found and acquired through friendship and chance.
If you've ever wanted a safe place to belong, you will enjoy the festive
atmosphere of August's home, her friends, and the rituals and ceremonies
they create to celebrate life, and you will cheer for Lily as she
learns lessons both sweet and painful about becoming an adult woman.
Once you're completely besotted, you can try Kidd's latest novel,
The
Mermaid Chair, to see how it measures up...but I think you'll
be more likely to flip back to the first page and start again. Recommended by Leigh Anne, January 2005 |
|
| Garrison, Deborah A Working Girl Can't Win Fiction |
|
| This slim volume of poetry asserts that life is hard,
but you have to play the hand you're dealt with as much grace and
style as you can muster, even if you're seething underneath. There's
a lot of potential in that theme for whining and self-pity, but Garrison
neatly avoids those traps with short, sharp line breaks, clever wordplay,
and just the right blend of heartache and humor. "An Idle Thought"
is a nice meditation on fantasy and reality, while "November on Her
Way" epitomizes helpless longing without stooping to melodrama. The
best of the bunch, however, are the work poems, especially "Fight
Song" and "Please Fire Me," which will make you gasp and then chuckle,
in spite of yourself. If you've ever wanted to go somewhere else that
isn't Europe, these poems will take you there. Recommended by Leigh Anne, January 2005 |
|
| Roth, Philip The Plot Against America Fiction |
|
| This book has received a great deal of hype and critical
acclaim in the last few months, all of which is richly deserved. In
this novel Roth departs from his usual rambling, philosophical style
to tell a riveting, plot-driven story about an alternate American
history in which Charles Lindbergh defeats FDR and becomes president
in 1940. Using a clever mix of historical and fictional characters,
including his own family members, Roth shows how democracy can be
undermined by an insidious series of small actions that gradually
erode the Constitution and plunge the country into madness and anarchy.
I especially enjoyed Roth's fictional interpretation of the firey,
peppery Walter Winchell, who was already larger than life and only
gets better in this book. Even if you normally write off bestsellers
as hype machines, I strongly recommend you give this book a chance.
At the very least, it will make for some provocative dinner table
conversations about liberty, democracy, and religious tolerance. Recommended by Leigh Anne, December 2004 |
|
| Zielnski, Stephan Bad Magic Fiction |
|
| This short, sharp novel knocked me off my chair with
its dark humor and snappy dialogue. San Diego is awash with magic,
but only those with their third eyes open can see how much damage
has been done by the forces of evil. Eight quirky mages are out to
save the day as much as they can, even though they know deep-down
it's too big a task for such a small posse. That doesn't stop them
from trying, however, or from cracking jokes at each other's expense.
Loaded with inside genre jokes and bizarre creatures designed to make
your head hurt, Bad Magic is a treat for people who love fantasy,
but don't have the time to get started on yet another hack-em-up trilogy.
As a bonus, check out the faux-scholarly essay at the end, which teaches
you everything you've ever wanted to know about that misunderstood
species, Zombi Diego. Recommended by Leigh Anne, December 2004 |
|
|
Clarke, Susanna Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell Fiction |
| Once upon a time, in the time of the Raven King, England
was awash in magic and Faerie. Susanna Clarke's brilliant debut novel,
which took over a decade to write, uses this notion as the base for
her sumptuous story about wizards who duel…but only philosophically.
Gilbert Norrell is a scholar who prefers magical theory to actual
practice. His pupil, Jonathan Strange, is an adventurer who wants
to push the envelope of spellcraft. Their shaky relationship, a risky
spell with lingering consequences, and a mischievous fairy are all
elements of a thrilling story, complete with faux historical footnotes
and a guest appearance by Lord Byron. You don't need special powers
to love this book: just the willingness-and the free time-to be swept
away by 782 pages of literary goodness. Read it by candlelight or
by starlight, but please: read it! Recommended by Leigh Anne, November 2004 |
|
| DeParle, Jason American Dream Nonfiction |
|
| Although many non-fiction writers strive to be "fair
and balanced," DeParle is one of the few authors I've read lately
who actually manages to succeed. This is surprising and gratifying,
particularly since his subject is welfare reform, the mere mention
of which sends many otherwise rational pundits into a tailspin of
partisan vehemence. This multifaceted book is primarily the story
of Angie, Opal, and Jewell, three women directly affected by Bill
Clinton's vow to "end welfare as we know it." However, it is also
the story of welfare itself: how it came into being, what it was originally
intended to do, and how its purposes changed over time. Several chapters
focus exclusively on the political wheeling and dealing that went
into Clinton's welfare reform plan. And just to make sure he's covered
all of his bases, DeParle gives us the story of Mike, who becomes
a welfare caseworker largely by accident and gets to see firsthand
just how the system works-or doesn't-for women like Angie, Opal, and
Jewell. What I enjoyed most about this book was DeParle's refusal
to depict his subjects as victims, saints, or lost causes. What we
get in these pages is, instead, a well-rounded story about the complex
social issues that contribute to the culture of welfare in America.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about welfare
without getting bogged down in a lot of emotional rhetoric. Recommended by Leigh Anne, November 2004 |
|
| Baker, Nicholson Checkpoint Fiction |
|
| I don't normally enjoy Nicholson Baker's work, and "enjoy"
is probably the wrong word to describe what reading this novel is
like. Nevertheless, I would recommend Checkpoint to anyone who is
still trying to make sense of the September 11th tragedy and the subsequent
war on terror. Baker's protagonists, Jay and Ben, spend an afternoon
together in a hotel room talking about matters both incendiary and
banal-sometimes within the same breath. What unites them is their
sense of grief for America. However, they disagree about what our
country's next steps should be. Although the word "cathartic" is often
overused to describe books these days, I really believe that this
book captures the spirit of post-9/11 America, and that it should
be read and discussed as a cultural artifact of a difficult age. Recommended by Leigh Anne, October 2004 |
|
| King, Stephen The Dark Tower Fiction |
|
| All good things come to an end someday, and so it goes
with the Dark Tower series. The bittersweet end of Roland's journey,
with its T.S. Eliot overtones, may possibly infuriate long-suffering
readers who think Roland and his ka-tet deserve a better end than
the one King has written for them. In my own humble opinion, however,
the reader would do well to remember what the series has told us all
along: "Go, then. There are other worlds than these." You might want
to keep your Kleenex handy, as the resolutions of several story arcs
are definitely weepers. My favorite chapter? "The Sore and the Door
(Goodbye, My Dear)," with its drawing motif. Recommended by Leigh Anne, October 2004 |
|
| My New Filing Technique is Unstoppable by David Rees Graphic Novel |
|
| This graphic novel is an excellent substitute for a Pilates
workout. In fact, if your stomach doesn't ache from laughter after
the first few pages, I suggest you get yourself to a doctor, as you
clearly don't have a pulse. Think that's salty? Wait until you see
the frank and honest dialog Rees' characters toss about as they try
to make sense of the filing system from hell. I can't decide what
I like more: the funky clip art, or the bizarre plotline that makes
Dilbert look like a walk in the park. Grab a copy of this book
and banish corporate anomie for good…or at least until your next training
session. Recommended by Leigh Anne, October 2004 |
|
| Faust, Minister The Coyote Kings of the Space-Age Bachelor Pad Fiction |
|
| Edmonton, Alberta is crawling with inter-dimensional
beings. Who knew? Certainly not Hamza and Yehat, the self-proclaimed
Coyote Kings of E-town. Their relatively normal lives of minimum-wage
toil, community service, and endless geekdom is rudely interrupted
by the arrival of the mysterious Sheremnefer, an ethereally lovely
woman who leads our heroes on an adventure far greater than any their
twenty-sided dice could possibly roll up. Liberally laced with both
high-brow and pop culture references, this book is deliciously geeky
fun. Final stats: ninety-nine hit points with a plus-five charisma
bonus. Recommended by Leigh Anne, September 2004 |
|
| Evanovich, Janet Ten Big Ones Fiction |
|
| Pass the Tasty Cakes: Evanovich's latest novel is worth
its weight in snack food. Stephanie Plum's most recent misadventure
ratchets up the romantic rivalry between Joe Morelli, her steady,
and Ranger, her mysterious colleague. Throw in a Frito thief, gang
warfare, a cross-dressing bus driver, and some overly friendly guard
dogs, and you have one stunner of a beach book. Recommended by Leigh Anne, August 2004 |
|
| Bin Ladin, Carmen Inside the Kingdom: My Life in Saudi Arabia Nonfiction |
|
| The author's candid account of her rocky marriage to
-- and subsequent divorce from -- a member of the Bin Laden clan is
patently disturbing. Although Osama Bin Laden's name surfaces from
time to time as an example of extreme religious fundamentalism, Bin
Ladin is more concerned with describing the role of women in Saudi
culture. Part tell-all and part cultural critique, the short chapters
and intimate details make this a quick, interesting read. Recommended by Leigh Anne, August 2004 |
|
| Robbins, Alexandra Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities Nonfiction |
|
| Drugs, alcohol, date rape, and eating disorders lace
the pages of this candid look at sorority life in the South. Robbins
went undercover in four different Greek organizations to find out
what really happens to sorority pledges, and the stories she tells
are the stories both parents and students need to hear. However, the
author's inability to find any redeeming qualities in Greek life leave
her writing open to charges of bias. Check it out and decide for yourself.
Recommended by Leigh Anne, August 2004 |
|
