Bookmarks Holiday 2007 edition of the BOOKLOFT NEWSLETTER
A Selection of Books for Young Readers
A COUNTESS BELOW STAIRS by Eva Ibbotson
Best known for her fantasy adventures, Ibbotson now gives us a series of enchanting historical novels. In this one, a young countess named Anna survives the Russian revolution but her family is forced to flee to England. There she and many others like her have to give up their royal lives for whatever drudgery they can find to make money to survive. She takes a job as servant in the wealthy Westerholme household, having had to hide her own aristocratic past in order to get the job. She is swept up in the lives of the wealthy British around her, including the handsome young son of her employer. Her pleasant outlook toward life, her hard work and her kind nature all combine to bring about events which lead to big changes not only for Anna but for all of her family and the Westerholmes. $8.99 Penguin
SAMUEL BLINK AND THE FORBIDDEN FOREST by Matt Haig
Following an awful tragedy, Samuel and his sister Martha are sent to live with their Aunt Eda in a village in Norway. Her house borders a mysterious and dangerous forest. Aunt Eda had many rules but the one she emphasizes the most is rule # 9 NEVERUNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GO INTO THE FOREST. It is in this forest that her husband, Uncle Henrik disappeared years ago causing her great fear of this place. But when Samuel starts seeing unusual creatures emerging from the forest at night, his curiosity grows. When Martha disappears into the forest, he goes in after her. Their encounters with many magical creatures provide lots of excitement and their discovery of the secrets of the forest provide a terrific story both action packed and thrilling. $16.99 Putnam
IGRAINE THE BRAVE by Cornelia Funke
This new book by the beloved author of Dragon Rider, Inkheart and Inkspell lives up to expectations. Igraine is a 12 year old who lives with her magical parents and brother in an enchanted castle. Her family relies for their magical skills on a set of magical singing books which have been in the family for generations. Through their actions the castle is fortified by arrow-eating gargoyles and stone lions who come to life to defend the entrances. While creating her birthday present her mother gets one of the words of the spell wrong resulting in both parents being turned into pigs. The timing is particularly bad as an evil magician picks this time to attempt to steal the magical books. As her brother struggles to defend the castle, Igraine must sneak away to locate the essential ingredients needed to bring her parents back to normal. On her journey, she encounters giants, dragons and a sorrowful knight. She demonstrates her cleverness and bravery in helping her family. With delightful illustrations by the author, this adventure was satisfying and great fun. $16.99 Chicken House
ENTHUSIASM by Polly Shulman
Ashleigh and Julie are best friends as well as next door neighbors. As they enter their sophomore year of high school, Ashleigh develops her latest enthusiasm, this time for the novels of Jane Austen. As she adapts the language and mannerisms of the characters of Pride and Prejudice, she tests the patience of her friend, a "serious" fan of Austen. The story evolves into a delightful retake of the Austen novel as the two friends become confused over the attentions of two local boys. Which is Mr. Darcy and which is Mr. Bingley? As they go through the angst of their first attentions from boys, they learn about loyalties and love. $7.99 Putnam
Skylight Gallery News
The wonderful thing about artists is their constant creativity. David Jensen, Ted Juve, and Russell Ford as well as jewelers, Annie Robinson and Viki Abram are always bringing in beautiful new things. Crystal Strobel's Morph creations Brenda Burt's bracelets and fiber items are unique and sure to please. Stop by and see what's new in the Skylight Gallery. Always a source of special gifts.
THE OMNIVORE'S DILEMMA by Michael Pollan
Subtitled "A Natural History of Four Meals," this book is a fascinating look at where our food comes from. The dilemma of the book's title is the result of the human species' ability to consume all types of food, animal, vegetable and mineral. As a result of this ability, we can sometimes become confused about what is good or harmful to eat. Starting with what he calls industrial food, Pollan, explores the world of mass-produced food, much of it, surprisingly, based on corn. He then looks at organic foods, which, as it turns out are also surprising in their different degrees of authenticity. The last section is for food that is hunted or gathered.
In each section, he culminates his narrative with the description of a meal he consumes which exemplifies its type: a McMeal, a meal from mass-produced organic foods, a meal from small, truly organic growers, and a feast from an animal he killed and food he foraged. Pollan writes in a manner that relays his well-researched information in an interesting way. I particularly liked the section on true small-scale organic farming. The farm he visits can't actually label their food organic, as they don't fall within the USDA guidelines. Yet, the farm operates on a sustainable, non-chemical basis, relying instead on natural progressions of use in a grass-based feeding system. Pollan himself proclaims the "perfect meal" as the one consisting of wild boar, foraged mushrooms and fruit gleaned from abandoned fruit trees. For foodies like myself or browsers who only eat for sustenance, this book is an intriguing look at the many options available to the modern eater. $16.00 Penguin
THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield
This novel possesses not only a great story, but is also a book for all who are enthralled by reading. Set in contemporary time, it is about a young woman who is asked to write the biography of an elderly woman who is a very popular, but reclusive British writer. The young woman works in her father's antiquarian bookshop and so has been raised around books. She definitely has been entranced with a love of books and reading. Throughout the story she makes references to books and reading in a way which fellow reading enthusiasts will immediately relate to.
When asked to write the biography, she is at first reluctant, as the author is a "popular" writer and not one of her favorites. But she becomes intrigued with the nature of the invitation to travel to the author's estate and hear her long-suppressed life story. This story turns out to be one of mystery and intrigue, with all of the elements of a classic Gothic tale like Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. There are strange family legends, ghosts and half-crazy characters all living their lives in an increasingly deteriorating mansion on the moors. What more could a reader want? As she learns the mystery at the heart of the story the young woman confronts her own demons and comes to conclusions about her own family which put to rest ghosts from her own past. With its intriguing setting, its mysterious plot and the strong bookish theme, this novel was a terrific read and hard to put down. $15.00 Washington Square Press
Check out the amazing Bird Songs featuring 250 North American birds and their calls. With full page, color illustrations for each bird, this amazing book also has an audio chip so you can choose a bird and then listen to its call. Or choose one at random and see if you can identify it. The store has been full of these delightful sounds since the books arrived.
New Books by Favorite Authors
~T is for Trespass is the latest Kinsey Milhone mystery by Sue Grafton.
~ Kerplunk by Patrick McManus. At last, the new collection of his humorous tales we've all been waiting for.
~ Jan Brett's latest, The Three Snow Bears, is a retelling of the three bears story with an arctic setting and her usual gorgeous illustrations.
~ Let 'Er Buck is the reissue of the history of the Pendleton roundup originally written in 1921.
~Jan Karon has started a new series with a character from her beloved Mitford series. The first Father Tim novel, Home to Holly Springs, takes us to the town where Father Tim grew up.
Bookmarks Archive
Past Bookmarks Newsletters (without graphics) are available by clicking on links below: