Bookmarks Late Summer 2007 edition of the BOOKLOFT NEWSLETTER
The wait is over - Harry's Here!
Unless you've been under a rock somewhere you'll know that the final book in J.K. Rowling's series about young wizards, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, was released on July 21. We had great fun at our Harry Potter party. There was a crowd when we opened the doors at 6 am and fans continued to revel in the festivities throughout the day. We even had live coverage by Lee Perkins on KWVR. The book is definitely worth the wait. I am enjoying it as an audio book (performed by the amazing Jim Dale) instead of reading it, so I am way behind everyone else. But it is action-packed and full of suspense. For those of you who entered the "7 questions of Harry Potter" contest -- hang in there! I will be notifying the winners as soon as I know the answers to the questions.
What's Mary Been Reading?
ROGUE RIVER JOURNAL by John Daniel
John Daniel was one of many Fishtrap presenters who returned this summer for the 20th Fishtrap celebration. I've enjoyed several of Daniel's other books, but had not read this, his latest. It is a non-fiction account of a winter spent alone in a remote cabin above the Rogue River. He was there to write, and the project he had in mind was to reflect on his father's life. This he did, but he also pondered and wrote about his own experiences and how his life was shaped by those of his father. In between these thoughts are beautiful passages about the wild lands surrounding him. The book is written in a style which is easy to read and also compelling. It is a very eloquent account of the complex bonds of family, the author's own journey toward manhood and his deep love for and appreciation of the natural world.$16.00 Shoemaker & Hoard
Another book I recently read in which the author expresses her love of the outdoors was THE CURVE OF TIME by Muriel Wylie Blanchet. This classic adventure was written by a woman who was a widow with five children living on Vancouver Island during the 1920s and 1930s. They owned a 25 foot boat and spent their summers exploring the coastal waters of British Columbia. What adventures they had! Whether they were dealing with bears, cougars, engine trouble, or storms, Muriel and her children were up to the challenge. In their explorations they found old Indian villages and eccentric loners living in isolated places. The author clearly had a great love of natural places and her lyrically written accounts reflect this. $14.95 Seal Press
Are You Missing Harry Already?
Now, for all those of you who zoomed through the book, here are a few suggestions if you wish to remain focused on magical worlds a little longer:
For Adults
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susannah Clarke
Anything by Ursula Le Guin. I am well stocked on all of her booksEarthsea Trilogy and more.
For Young Adults
More Ursula Le Guin's books. One of the many impressive things about Le Guin is her talent in writing for readers of all ages.
There are new titles in the Icemark Chronicles and Ranger's Apprentice series. Try Anthony Horowitz's Gatekeepers series.
We also have the second book of The Misadventures of Benjamin Barthlomew Piff, the boy who was granted the ultimate birthday wish.
Mystery Morsels
MOST WANTED by Michele Martinez
This first novel features Melanie Vargas, a federal prosecutor in New York City.
When she is walking her infant daughter one evening, she comes upon a crime scene for a homicide which has just occurred in her neighborhood. She becomes involved in the investigation of the crime when the murder victim turns out to be a fellow prosecutor. He is not only wealthy, but well-connected politically and she must tread carefully in her investigation. As she delves into the crime, she discovers corruption spreading through several law enforcement agencies, and her paranoia grows as she tries to decide which of the other investigators are involved.
As in many good crime thrillers with female protagonists, we also become involved in the personal life and problems of the main character. Melanie is struggling with an unfaithful husband, childcare problems as well as guilt over her work obligations which keep her from spending as much time with her young daughter as she'd like. In addition, she feels a special connection to the FBI agent assigned to work with her on the case. But is he straight or part of the conspiracy swirling around her? Action-packed and with good twists, this series is off to a good start. $6.99 Harper
THE LIGHTHOUSE by P.D. James
I haven't treated myself to a P.D. James novel in quite a while. When I think of the classic British police procedural I definitely think of her work. Her protagonist, Commander Adam Dalgliesh has been featured in her books for years. He is an interesting character a smart, analytical detective, yet also a sensitive man who writes poetry and struggles in his relationship with his girlfriend.
This recent novel has an interesting setting as well, on a fictional island off the coast of England. The privately owned island is a retreat where the rich and powerful escape the tensions of their lives. When a murder occurs, the tranquility is shattered and Dalgliesh's team is flown in to unravel the crime.
James' writing is very good. All of her characters are well portrayed. One thing I have always liked is that she delves into the lives of all of the characters, the crime solvers as well as the criminals, so we get more of a sense of how the present circumstances fit into everything else going on in their lives. Often the tensions and pressures of their own lives affect their abilities to investigate. This makes them more real and less mythically gifted. The Lighthouse is cleverly plotted and a thoroughly enjoyable read. $13.95 Vintage
For Younger Readers
A COUNTESS BELOW STAIRS by Eva Ibbotson
In this first of a series of historical novels, a young countess named Anna survives the Russian revolution but her family is forced to flee to England. There she gives up her royal life for whatever drudgery she 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, and this leads to big changes not only for Anna but for all of her family. $8.99 Penguin
And now a word from "The Society for the Prevention of the Abuse and Misuse of the Apostrophe".
At last! A book for all ages which promotes our cause:
THE GIRL'S LIKE SPAGHETTI:WHY, YOU CAN'T MANAGE WITHOUT APOSTROPHES!
This informative and fun book is by Lynne Truss, author of Eats, Shoots,
and Leaves which explored the world of the comma. With wonderful illustrations
by Bonnie Timmons, this is the book to help kids (and adults) laugh their
way to understanding the apostrophe's job. $16.99 Putnam
Bookmarks Archive
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