We are honored to announce that Denver author Sandra Dallas will be at our store for a book talk and signing on Monday, August 11th, from 5 to 7:00PM. Tickets will be $5, and we are taking reservations for no more than 35 guest.
Tea, wine, and appetizers will be served…more information to come in our July newsletter…or, just stop by the store and reserve a seat!
Popularity: 44%
PEACE LIKE A RIVER, by Leif Enger
This is an upbeat story, seen through the eyes of Reuben Land, an eleven year old asthmatic boy. Reuben’s brother kills two juveniles who are bent on malicious mischief. When his brother escapes from jail, the family, father, philosophical younger sister and Reuben, begin a drive through the unforgiving Black Hills to find him. Help comes in unlikely places along their journey. It’s a remarkable journey marked by humor, loyalty and, in the end, redemption. A wonderfully accomplished first novel.
Peace Like A River was Enger’s debut as an author. A few years ago it was chosen as the “All Denver” read.
New by Leif Enger is:
SO BRAVE, YOUNG, AND HANDSOME, published in April, 2008.
Kirkus Reviews 2008 February #2
A belated follow-up to a popular debut finds the Midwestern novelist in fine storytelling form, as he spins a picaresque tale of redemption and renewal amid the fading glories of the Old West.Some readers will undoubtedly find autobiographical implications in the protagonist conjured by Enger (Peace Like a River, 2001). In his second novel, a Minnesota writer who has enjoyed his own out-of-the-blue success with a popular novel struggles in vain to produce a suitable successor. In the opening pages of this first-person narrative, Monte Becket introduces himself as a nothing-special Everyman, a former postman who quit his job after his novel Martin Bligh reached a readership beyond the wildest expectations of both the part-time author and his publisher. Yet Becket has since suffered a crisis of confidence, starting and abandoning seven different manuscripts over a four-year period until he fears that his success was just a fluke. This story has its start in 1915, just as Becket abandons his final manuscript, when a mysterious geezer in a rowboat passes his Minnesota riverfront home (with a nod toward Enger’s earlier novel, rivers run through this one) and ultimately entices Becket to join him on an adventure that will change both of their lives. The mysterious man’s name may or may not be Glendon Hale; he may or may not be an outlaw on the run; and he most certainly is a boat-building alcoholic. With the encouragement of his painter wife, Becket leaves behind a comfortable home and a loving family to accompany Hale on a pilgrimage, one that will find Becket learning more about his companion’s identity while assuming an alias of his own. As they head south toward Mexico and then west to California, they find their travels enlivened by a young accomplice who joins them and a pursuer who trails them, a former Pinkerton detective who has also enjoyed some literary success. Revelations abound, for both Becket and the reader.Though Becket laments that he “can’t write a(nother) book that anyone will want to read,” Enger has.
Popularity: 56%
COLORADO BOOKS
(We are proud of our titles and selection!)
Rocky Mountain National Park Pocket Guide, by Falcon
This information-packed, fully portable book highlights the key things you’ll need to get the most out of your visit. Outdoor activities and flora and fauna are detailed, as well as useful travel in formation to help you navigate areas in and outside the park. Find inside:
SCATS AND TRACKS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, by James C. Halfpenny, PH.D.
Clearly written descriptions and illustrations of scats, tracks, and gait patterns will help you recognize seventy Rocky Mountain Species. An Identification key, a glossary of tracking terms, and detailed instructions on how to document your finds are also included here.
THE COLORADO 14ERS, SECOND EDITION, by The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation
The essential guide to the most popular routes up all 54 of the Colorado 14ers • Over a half-million North Americans attempt to climb at least one Colorado 14er every year • The most current guide to the 14ers available • The most beta on 14ers for the least amount of money This completely rewritten and redesigned second edition is organized by mountain range—the only book you will need to find the most popular route up each of the 54 Colorado 14ers.
Each description includes clear, concise directions for driving to the trailhead, where to park, a map of the route, difficulty rating, elevation profile, distance, and estimated round-trip time. As the most up-to-date book available, The Colorado 14ers covers all access issues (as of this writing, five of the 14ers are closed to public access).
HIKING COLORADO’S ROADLESS TRAILS, by Penelope Purdy
Imagine walking through a national forest where there has never been a road, logging, or mining, where silence reigns and wild animals find secluded places to raise their young and survive harsh weather. Second only to fully protected wilderness areas, roadless areas are the most intact natural forests that remain in Colorado. This book is the first guide written specifically to help you find these precious Colorado roadless trails, some of which are still threatened by encroaching development.
The roadless hike descriptions are intended for non-technical hikers and include photos, topographic maps, trail highlights, and wildlife viewing tips. The introduction provides helpful background about search and rescue, Leave No Trace ethics, and hiker preparedness, as well as information on how Colorado’s roadless forests can be better protected. Hiking Colorado’s Roadless Trails offers an overview of the ecology of Colorado’s forests and why undisturbed forests also are crucial for the future of human communities.
THE BEST FORT COLLINS HIKES, by John Gascoyne
The Best Fort Collins Hikes was written by CMC members for a wide range of readers– from experienced hikers who already know much of the local scene to visiting flatlanders who want to enjoy the best of the area. The hikes range from very easy walks to a number of moderate hikes to a few of the difficult and demanding variety. Sixteen Fort Collins Group CMC members became involved with the book at its very beginning. The 20 trails were selected by group consensus and chapter members functioned as trail authors, photographers and cartographers. The contributors brought their own expertise and enthusiasm as well as outdoor interests to the hikes. One trail description may say a good deal about geology and natural history while the next one may emphasize the wildflowers that will be found on that particular hike. * A wide variety of trails from urban strolls to alpine adventures; from an afternoon mosey to “Shouldn’t we be roping up now?”– all within an hour of Fort Collins. * A handy CMC Pack Guide with complete trail descriptions, color photos, maps, and commentary * Trails for hikers, bikers, and snowshoers; some are wheelchair-accessible, some are equestrian-friendly, and most are open year round.
HIKING ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, by Kent and Donna Dannen
Lace up your boots and sample more than 450 miles of trails in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Veteran hikers Kent and Donna Dannen introduce you to memorable trails highlighting the natural splendor of the Rockies. Each hike description includes detailed information on trail access, best times for hiking, and points of interest along the way. With special sections on what to wear, carry, and eat and invaluable advice on wilderness ethics and safety, this guide is an indispensable companion to hiking and backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks Wilderness
True Tales from Colorado’s Past
From the real first settlement of Pueblo to the death of “Buffalo Bill” Cody, It Happened in Colorado gives readers a unique look at intriguing people and episodes from the history of the Centennial State.
Learn how a prehistoric tribe of one hundred men, women, and children killed and butchered nearly two hundred bison in one day. Read about the early days of the Denver Mint. And discover the sad story of what happened to Robert Ford after he murdered the infamous outlaw Jesse James.
In an easy-to-read style that’s entertaining and informative, popular western historian James A. Crutchfield recounts some of the most captivating moments in the history of Colorado.
IT HAPPENED IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, by Phyllis J. Perry
True Tales from Rocky Mountain National Park
From a bloody ambush at Grand Lake to a sudden flash flood in
Estes Park, It Happened in Rocky Mountain National Park looks
at intriguing people and episodes from the history of Colorado’s largest
national park.
Meet Patrick Finan and Tim Schuett, two campers whose trips were cut short after a black bear’s brutal surprise attack. Learn what Hillel Ben-Avi endured after becoming lost near Fairchild Mountain for four days. And find out why noontime is a risky hour to go hiking in the summer—the news may shock you.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, THE COMPLETE HIKING GUIDE, by Lisa Foster
Finally, the total experience of hiking Rocky Mountain National Park has been captured in one comprehensive volume, which covers literally every named destination in RMNP and many exciting hikes in adjacent public lands. This book is a must-have for any beginning hiker or avid outdoor enthusiast. It will take you anywhere you want to go in RMNP and its surrounding areas. From fun family hikes to hearty mountaineering adventures. 440 destinations, 686 hiking trails and routes, 250 full-color photography, 31 detailed ad useful maps.
BEST LOOP HIKES IN COLORADO, by Steve Johnson
Loop hikes mean you end back where you started—but you get fresh scenery every step of the way! • 60 loop hikes accessible from metro areas including Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Boulder • Illustrated with topo maps, elevation profiles, and photos for each hike • Trailfinder chart lists hikes by factors including distance, hiking time, elevation gain, season, and highlights—quiet wilderness, mountain meadow, great views, wildlife, etc. • Bonus listing of loop hikes that are great for winter snowshoeing Looking for a short, easy loop stroll, or a challenging loop trek? Do you want loops that offer solitude or loops that are kid-friendly? There are loops that involve overnight stays and loops that involve fourteeners to consider, too. And did you know that some loops double as great snowshoe trails in winter? You’ll find all these and more in Loop Hikes: Colorado. As you can tell, the operative word here is “loop.” That’s right: there’s no need to bore yourself by retracing the same path. Your every step is shiny and new, all without tandem driving or dropping off a car at both ends of the trail. It’s the holy grail of hiking!
Regions represented include Front Range, Central Mountains, Southwest Mountains, Western Slope and Canyonlands, Northern Mountains, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
REAL COOL COLORADO PLACES FOR CURIOUS KIDS, by Diane T. Liggett
Full-color adventure/natural & cultural history guidebook which features the best 20 places to explore throughout Colorado.
BEST HIKES WITH CHILDREN IN COLORADO, by Maureen Keilty
Including updates and changes to all existing trails and maps, this book features information on 86 hikes chosen for kid appeal with trails accessible from Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Vail, Aspen, and Crested Butte. Original.
BEST HIKES WITH DOGS: COLORADO, by Steve Johnson
The best hiking trails in Colorado for optimum canine enjoyment are featured in a guidebook that furnishes detailed descriptions of eighty dog-friendly hikes, including some never described in another guidebook, and includes canine hazards to watch for and tips on what to pack for your dog. Original.
The Best in Tent Camping Colorado: A Guide for Campers Who Hate Rvs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos, by Johnny Molloy
The only guide to Colorado’s best tent camping just got better! Completely updated, re-organized for ease of use, and containing five new campgrounds, The Best in Tent Camping: Colorado continues to lead tent campers to the best of Colorado’s best. The newly designed campground layout maps, UTM and Latitude/Longitude coordinates for each campground entrance, descriptive text, and ratings for security, quiet, and beauty makes the new edition of The Best in Tent Camping: Colorado a must-have for every tent camper’s library.
ROAD BIKING COLORADO, THE STATEWIDE GUIDE, by Michael Seeberg
Whether you’re a seasoned Colorado cyclist looking for new challenges or a visitor in quest of America’s highest and most scenic paved roads, you can choose from 141 routes of all difficulty levels, or you can link adjacent routes to customize your own ride. 102 full-color photographs and 14 handy maps.
COLORADO BIKING TRAILS, Outdoor Books
77 statewide trails for the entire family.
SADDLE UP, COLORADO! By Sherry and Scott Snead
Table of Contents
State Map 8 (2)
How to Use This Guide 10 (2)
Trail Savvy 12 (8)
Safety Guidelines 12 (3)
Trail Etiquette 15 (1)
General Regulations 16 (1)
Leave No Trace Principles 17 (3)
Checklists 20 (287)
Trip Planning 20 (1)
Tack 20 (1)
Veterinary Supplies 21 (1)
Vehicle 21 (1)
Camping Gear 21 (1)
Personal Gear 21 (1)
Denver and Colorado Springs Region 22 (80)
Central Region 10 (462)
North-Central Region 14 (388)
Northwest Region 18 (266)
West-Central Region 21 (222)
Southwest Region 23 (244)
South-Central Region 25 (208)
The Eastern Plains 27 (298)
Appendices
Public Agency Contact Information 300 (3)
Trail Accommodations 303 (2)
Sponsor 305 (1)
Back Country Horsemen of America 306 (1)
Index 307 (5)
About the Authors/Photographers 312
COLORADO’S SANCTUARIES, RETREATS, AND SACRED PLACES, by Jean Torkelson
More ad more, people of all faiths and leanings endeavor to connect with their spiritual sides. Colorado offers diverse locales for spiritual exploration, either in fellowship with others or on an individual basis. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS religion writer Jean Torkelson profiles more than 100 of the state’s best sites for soul-searching, including mountain retreats and camps, urban sanctuaries, and remote enclave of miraculous natural beauty. Color photographs accompany Torkelson’s lively and informative descriptions.
Popularity: 52%
BACKCAST, by Lou Ureneck
Fatherhood, fly-fishing, and a river journey through the heart of Alaska. An unflinching meditation on the Alaskan interior and parenthood traces the author’s struggles to reclaim the trust of his teenage son during a Bering Sea fishing trip during which they encountered formidable wildlife and natural elements that helped strengthen their relationship. 25,000 first printing.
SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY’S, by James Patterson
Years after spending a lonely childhood at the side of a make-believe best friend named Michael, theater maven’s daughter Jane encounters a loving flesh-and-blood Michael who is exactly like the figure of her childhood imagination.
MY STROKE OF INSIGHT, by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.
“Fascinating…burst with hope for everyone who is brain injured (not just stroke patients) and gives medical practitioners clear, no-nonsense information about the shortcomings of conventional treatment and attitudes toward the brain injured. But to my mind, what makes MY STROKE OF INSIGHT not just valuable but invaluable – a gift to every spiritual seeker and peace activist – is what I would describe as Taylor’s fearless mapping of the physiology of compassion, the physiology or nirvana. This book is about the wonder of being human.” Robert Koehler
QUANTUM WELLNESS, by Kathy Freston
Argues that mental, physical, and spiritual health are intertwined; presents eight pillars of wellness, including meditation, fun activities, and conscious eating; and describes how to use these pillars to achieve total wellness.
CHASING HARRY WINSTON, by Lauren Weisberger
Making a pact that they will change the things that most challenge them within a year’s time, Manhattan friends Emmy, Leigh, and Adriana shed their downtrodden identities in order to pursue the high life. By the author of The Devil Wears Prada. 300,000 first printing.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH, by Emily Giffin
Believing her marriage to Andy to be perfect in every way, Ellen runs into former flame Leo and wonders why she has been unable to forget him even though they brought out the worst in each other. By the author of Baby Proof. 450,000 first printing.
ANOTHER MAN’S MOCCASINS, by Craig Johnson
Unsettled by similarities between a recent murder case and his first investigation as a marine in Vietnam, Sheriff Walt Longmire is unwilling to believe that a too-obvious suspect is actually responsible and wonders about a strangely familiar photograph found in the recent victim’s purse. 15,000 first printing.
EASY COMPANY SOLDIER, by Sgt. Don Malarkey with Bob Welch
A “Band of Brothers” soldier and elite paratrooper describes his role in providing defense during 1943’s Operation Overlord, his receipt of a Bronze Star and numerous other honors, and the loss of his best friend during the engagement at Bastogne. 100,000 first printing.
THE LEGEND OF COLTON H. BRYANT, by Alexandra Fuller
A lyrical paean to an unsung…well, not exactly hero, but one of life’s unsung people.If this book were a country song, it would be by Merle Haggard. Whether British-born Fuller (Scribbling the Cat: Travels with an African Soldier, 2004, etc.) knows from Haggard is a matter of speculation, but what is clear is that she has an unfailing eye for common people caught up in uncommon events. This story of a young Wyomingite named Colton H. Bryant is also that of the oil and gas boom wrought by deregulation in these rapacious years of Bush, “a tragedy before it even starts because there was never a way for anyone to win against all the odds out here.” Alternately bullied and ignored—”Retard” is a slur-cum-nickname that figures often in these pages—Colton did most of the things a young man in the heavily Mormon southwestern corner of the state is supposed to do: ride and rope, fish and hunt, cruise around in pickup trucks. Moreover, like young men in Evanston, Colton “was born with horses and oil in his blood like his father before him and his grandfather before that and maybe his grandfather’s father before that.” Having endured adolescence thanks to a good friend named Jake and a slightly misquoted creed borrowed from television (”Mind over matter”), Colton followed the second birthright to the oil patch, where he quickly found work as a roughneck, an unforgiving job. “They have to keep drilling hour after hour–storm, heat, sleet, ice, sun–no matter what,” writes Fuller. “They’ll slap another beating heart on the rig to take your place if you’re so much as five minutes late.” Diligent and aware of the dangers, but needing to support a wife and baby, he fell into the well, as so many others have, just one of 35 Wyomingites to die on the rigs between 2000 and 2006. The petroleum company, in the meanwhile, boasted record profits—while Colton’s family “received no compensation for his loss.”A latter-day Silkwood, quiet and understated, beautifully written, speaking volumes about the priorities of the age. Copyright Kirkus 2008
SNUFF, by Chuck Palahniuk
Narrated from the perspectives of Mr. 72, Mr. 137, and Mr. 600 as they await their turn on camera, a provocative new novel about the role of pornography in contemporary life follows the sexual exploits of porn queen Cassie Wright, who plans to break the world record for serial fornication with six hundred men on camera. 200,000 first printing.
THE GARDEN OF LAST DAYS, by Andre Dubus III
Reluctantly bringing her daughter to her men’s club office when her babysitter falls ill, stripper April endeavors to keep her child safe while servicing a wealthy foreign client, while a drunken regular angrily retaliates for being thrown out of the club. By the author of House of Sand and Fog.
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN, by Garth Stein
Evaluating his life on the eve of his death, atypical canine Enzo considers the sacrifices his master, Denny Swift, has made in his pursuit of becoming a professional race car driver; the painful custody battle between Denny and his in-laws, and the dog’s own efforts to preserve the Swift family. 200,000 first printing.
A RARE BREED OF LOVE, by Jana Kohl
An account written to benefit the Humane Society of the U.S. shares the uplifting story of a three-legged poodle whose rescue from a puppy mill sparked the author’s cross-country rallies to raise awareness and call for reforms to animal protection laws, in a volume complemented by photos of celebrities and their animal companions. 100,000 first printing.
OLIVE KITTERIDGE, BY Elizabeth Strout
The larger-than-life world of Olive Kitteridge, a retired school teacher and unofficial town crier in a small coastal town in Maine, is revealed in a series of luminous stories that explore her diverse roles in many lives, including a lounge singer haunted by a past love, a young man grieving over his lost mother, her stoic husband, and her own resentful son. 50,000 first printing.
FROM A DISTANCE, by Tamera Alexander
“We all have been waiting, and her is the new title, by our wonderful Greeley/Tennessee author and friend, Tamera Alexander.” When one of Elizabeth Westbrook’s photographs becomes key evidence in a murder charge, her life is in peril, and when her interests clash with those of a former Confederate sharpshooter, she begins to question her own motivation. Original. Look for her next book in the TIMBER RIDGE REGLECTIONS series in spring 2009.
DEEP IN THE HEART OF TROUBLE, by Deeanne Gist
This sequel to Courting Trouble returns to Corsicana, TX, where unlikely heroine Essie Spreckelmeyer has just won the Best Bicycle Costume Award of 1898. Essie is still outspoken and stirring up trouble wherever she goes. When Tony Morgan, the disinherited son of an oil baron, takes a job with Essie’s family oil business, sparks fly. Essie’s independent nature and refusal to take a backseat in a man’s world have long kept her single, but Tony may be just her match. Christy Award winner Gist’s historical romances have increasingly gained popularity, combining witty dialog, well-balanced plots, and fully developed characters who seem almost real.
CHRIST THE LORD, THE ROAD TO CANA, by Anne Rice
A second volume in the author’s series of novels chronicling the life of Christ begins prior to his baptism in the Jordan River and concludes with the miracle at Cana, as he leaves his everyday life in Nazareth to confront his destiny, the Devil’s temptations, and the call to be Israel’s liberator from Roman occupation. 500,000 first printing.
THE SOUL OF MONEY, by Lynne Twist
Examines the link between our attitudes toward money–earning it, spending it, and giving it away–and our feelings of fulfillment, sufficiency, and purpose in our lives. Reprint.
HIGH ALTITUDE WESTERN GARDENING, by Marilyn Quinn
This guide to gardening in the high altitude of the Rocky Mountain region reveals what plants to choose and when to plant them, and offers valuable information on how to care for plants at high altitudes. Original.
STRAWBALE HOME PLANS, by Wayne J. Bingham and Colleen F. Smith
Two experts in the area of strawbale construction introduce thirty innovative plans to build a strawbale home, ranging in style from small retreats and rural off-the-grid houses to urban homes and commercial structures, accompanied by full-color photographs of projects from around the world and a look at the health and energy-saving benefits of such construction. Original.
GREEN FROM THE GROUND UP, by David Johnston
According to Johnston (a leader in the green building movement) and Gibson (contributing editor to Fine Homebuilding magazine), 40% of the world’s resources go into buildings and 66% of the electricity generated is for heating, cooling, and lighting them. After making a strong case for sustainable building, they provide practical advice for the process from the layout and foundation to interior finishes and landscaping in this well- illustrated guide.
GEORGIA COOKING IN AN OKLAHOMA KITCHEN, by Trisha Yearwood
Grammy Award–winning country singer Trisha Yearwood throws her hat into the celebrity cookbook ring with this cheerful if uninspired collection of home-style Southern recipes. Among family and friends, Yearwood is known for her cooking, she writes, and a foreword by her husband and fellow singer, Garth Brooks, explains that Yearwood’s secret is that she cooks with love, a technique not fully explored in this book. Aimed at the kitchen beginner, the book presents a list of necessary equipment and hints on substitutions, like making confectioner’s sugar from granulated sugar, and is sprinkled throughout with helpful notes from Yearwood and her mother and sister—both of whom are co-writers. International stardom clearly hasn’t dampened Yearwood’s enthusiasm for down-home treats like Pimento Cheese Spread, Hashbrown Casserole, and Cranberry Salad with Cool Whip, Cream Cheese and Gelatin. Her family members make frequent appearances in the many color photographs and in the form of favorite dishes like Jack’s Brunswick Stew and Gwen’s Fried Chicken with Milk Gravy. Yearwood is an advocate for no-fuss, simple cooking with plenty of supermarket shortcuts, and this volume will most appeal to fans who want to get a little closer to Yearwood and Brooks (like a chance to recreate the celebs’ wedding cake at home).
COOKIES, by Martha Stewart
A luscious array of favorite cookie recipes presents 175 different cookies that range from perennial crowd-pleasers to innovative new treats, all organized according to such textures as Soft and Chewy, Crisp and Crunchy, and Light and Delicate, including Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Lemon-Apricot Sandwiches, and Brown-Butter Toffee Blondies. Original. 150,000 first printing.
VEGETARIAN COOKING FOR EVERYONE, by Deborah Madison
The founding chef of San Francisco’s Greens restaurant and award-winning author of The Greens Cookbook presents a lavishly illustrated cookbook of more than 1,400 innovative vegetarian and vegan recipes and comprehensive information on a myriad of vegetables dishes, in a tenth anniversary edition of the James Beard Award-winning cookbook. 12,500 first printing.
FOOD 2.0, by Charlie Ayers
In a groundbreaking cookbook based on the concept of brainfood, Google’s famed founding chef outlines a bold new approach to eating that emphasizes how the right foods at the right time of day can transform one’s body and mind and includes more than ninety easy-to-prepare recipes that range from breakfast to dessert. 50,000 first printing.
THE GIRL WITH NO SHADOW, by Joanne Harris
In Harris’s sequel to Chocolat (1999), the paranormally gifted chocolate-maker Vianne Rocher has moved from rural France to Paris, where she tries to create a life of anonymity.After an unfortunate “accident”—a child’s magical impulse gone astray—Vianne has forsworn her paranormal power to ensure her family’s stability. Using an assumed name, she lives above her chocolate shop in Montmarte with 11-year-old Anouk (now called Annie by schoolmates) and four-year old Rosette, who does not speak but possesses special gifts for drawing, signing and creating her own “accidents” despite her mother’s attempts to avoid them. Vianne herself no longer makes her own “special” candies. Her middle-aged, well-meaning but conventional landlord, Thierry, has become her suitor, and she has exchanged her red dress for basic black. Enter Zozie de l’Alba, flamboyant, charming and soulless, a woman who lives by stealing identities, whether by literal theft of credit cards or by more supernatural means. Zozie is attracted to the energy of the chocolatier and particularly to Anouk, who is struggling with heightened preteen anxieties and resentments, a desire both to fit in and remain different. Iago-like Zozie insinuates herself into Vianne’s family. She draws much-needed new customers by redecorating the shop and charming patrons while encouraging Vianne to make her own delicious, if no longer magical, candies. She becomes Vianne’s friend and a confidante to Anouk as the girl sorts out social problems at school. But Zozie lets readers know early on that her plans are sinister. She wants Vianne’s identity and carefully drives a wedge between mother and daughter. Then Vianne’s old lover, and Rosette’s secret father, Roux, shows up. Zozie senses a kindred amoral spirit. The psychology of these characters is as complicated and spellbinding as their purported magic.A contemporary, razor-edged fairy tale—very dark chocolate but likely to be gobbled up.Agent: Michael Carlisle/InkWell Management Copyright Kirkus 2008
THE HOUSE ON FORTUNE STREET, by Margot Livesey
Love proves a destructive force in the lives of four Brits who have divergent perspectives on their interrelated dilemmas in another probing, satisfying novel from Livesey (Banishing Verona, 2004, etc.).In its first section, the story seems to be about a selfish, heartless actress, Abigail, who breaks up poor graduate student Sean’s marriage, then sleeps with his university chum Valentine. Abigail’s so busy and preoccupied she doesn’t notice that her best friend, Dara, is in suicidal despair over a lying lover—but then again, neither does Sean until he comes across Dara’s body in the downstairs flat of the house they all share on Fortune Street in London. The book’s second section concerns Dara’s childhood, seen through the eyes of her father Cameron, who has an unconsummated but unwholesome interest in prepubescent girls. His wife throws him out when she realizes his fondness for Dara’s best friend is more than fatherly, and we see in the third section that his daughter has never recovered from Cameron’s abrupt disappearance when she was ten. We also see that Dara is partly responsible for her disappointments in love, because she makes her boyfriends the obsessive center of her life. She’s rather shocked by Abigail’s casual attitude toward sex; even though the two women have been close since they met at university, their totally different personalities often chafe. Abigail, whose feckless parents let her work her way through both high school and university, is tough-minded and something of a user. She loves Dara, but can’t understand her friend’s neurotic vulnerability. In the moving final pages, Cameron confesses to Abigail what he could never tell Dara, and both confront their failures. “There was no question of them forgiving each other,” Abigail bleakly concludes. Yet the novel is filled with sorrowful wisdom about the fallible human heart and our myopic view of ourselves and those we love.Moving, gruffly tender and piercingly truthful. Livesey has plenty of critical respect already, but her talents merit a broad popular audience as well.Agent: Amanda Urban/ICM Copyright Kirkus 2008
Popularity: 69%
WAWA’S
Lost and Found
by, Carolyn Parkhurst
NUMBER ONE LADIES
One Thousand White Women
by, Jim Fergus
DORKS
Bridge of Sighs
by, Richard Russo
INOMINATE
Angle of Repose
by, Wallace Stegner
NOVELS AND NOSH
Look Homeward Angel
by, Thomas Wolfe
WATER VALLEY SOUTH
Friday Night Knitting Club
by, Kate Jacobs
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains
by, Isabella Bird
WINE AND SPINE
Water for Elephants
by, Sara Gruen
MARY ANN’S BOOK CLUB
The Insufficiency of Maps
by, Nora Pierce
BLUE STOCKING
Daisy Fay & the Miracle Man
by, Fannie Flagg
LOVE TO READ, WOMEN
Beyond Tuesday Morning
by, Karen Kingsbury
LOVE TO READ, GIRLS
The Sisters Grimm ~ The Unusual Suspects
by, Michael Buckley
SALSA & KETCHUP
The Saffron Kitchen
by, Yasmin Crowther
T.A.R. (Teachers As Readers)
CHANGE OF HEART
by, Jodi Picoult
Popularity: 49%
You are currently browsing the An Open Book - Greeley Colorado weblog archives for June, 2008.
