Back in 2005, when I started writing book talks for The Southern Reporter, I was conservative when suggesting books. If the book contained excessive foul language or a questionable sex scene I usually enjoyed the book but found another one to talk about. That year I read some excellent books that were left un-suggested including Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, A Million Little Pieces by James Frey and Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.
I regret not introducing new readers to Geraldine Brooks. She won a Pulitzer Prize a few years later with her book March, and has written another stellar book titled People of the Book. Really, when I think about Year of Wonders, I have to wonder why I thought it questionable. A woman in her late 70s at the time suggested it to me and I hold her taste in high regard, but still something held me back.
With two thumbs wildly wiggling up, I whole-heartedly suggest People of the Book. A little something for everyone, the novel is based on a true story that combines history, family relationships, religion, travel, and mystery.
In 1996, Hanna Heath is summoned to the remnants of war torn Bosnia to conserve an ancient haggadah. A religious book, the haggadah is read by Jewish families during Seder in which the story of Exodus is related. She is met at the airport by United Nations guards and three armor-plated vans which escort her to the museum holding the book.
Obviously, this isn't any old book but the Sarajevo Haggadah that was appraised in 1991 at $700 million. It is thought to be the oldest illuminated Jewish codex with images and Hanna handles the calf-skin parchment with kid gloves. While turning the pages slowly she finds three things foreign to the manuscript: a butterfly wing, a blonde hair and a small grain of salt.
In this story the plot is driven by the protection of the book through the years. One follows the persecution of Jews and the peril of the book starting with the Bosnian War and then moving to Nazi run Vienna in a reverse chronological order. This is an excellent history lesson as they travel to Venice, Italy of 1609 and then the forced expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.
It is the small objects left in the book that reminds the reader of a fine mystery. Hanna also leaves a little gift for the next 500 years.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
People of the Book (copy)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator (copy)
If this book had a sound track, it might sound like the theme to "Jaws," duuun dun duuun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun BOM BOM dun dun dun dun dun dun doo dedoo doo dedoo dede doo dede doo dededoo…I am talking about Sarah C. Campbell's highly acclaimed Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator. This children's picture book, published in 2008, was honored by the American Library Association's newest award.
The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award began in 2006 and has proven a major player in "beginning reader books" for the very young. To be honored is to say that one did not win but came in second. Still, it is a pretty good accomplishment for a Jackson, Mississippi husband and wife team of photographers; especially, since it is their first book ever.
Technically, this book is considered a photo-essay, but that genre title sounds too fussy. By using photographs taken around their home, the couple tells the story of a lone wolfsnail in search of food. The vibrant greens of plants such as hosta and grass, the opalescent brown of the shiny shell, the grainy ground, and the crackly tan of fallen leaves all work together to create a visually stunning story.
A story that could be told without words, but Sarah feeds our imagination with little know facts about the thumb size creature. She begins, "Water from a spring rain runs along the edge of a porch. It falls onto the shell of a wolfsnail. The snail is tucked inside its shell. Today, it is time to wake up and find food. Water seeps into an opening in the shell. The snail begins to move. Its tail comes out first, then its head."
From here the wolfsnail realizes it is hungry and begins to hunt other snails and slugs by following their slimy tracks. It traipses over large hosta leaves where little readers will see the remnants of morning dew. A shadow passes over and the wolfsnail ducks into its home to avoid the mockingbird. When the coast is clear, he emerges from his shell to continue the hunt for a common snail.
Sarah considers herself a teaching author and this book is perfect for a spring day outside with the kindergarten class or a "small creature," themed storytime. If snails gross you out try the new children's book by the duo titled, Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature. Filled with photographs of pinecones and sunflowers, the book demonstrates how one can find the number pattern (1,1,2,3,5,8,13...) in nature.
More about Wolfsnail and Growning Patterns can be found at Sarah C. Campbell's blog!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Procrastinator’s Guide to Getting Things Done (copy)
I was perusing the new books this week when one caught my eye. The Procrastinator's Guide to Getting Things Done by Monica Ramirez Basco, Ph.D. sat gnawing at me. The guilt of past work undone and the lingering anxiety of a "to-do" stack sat sticking its tongue out at me. Could this book help?
Now, I am not one to read self-help books but this one obviously filled a needed niche. I took it to lunch and we both commiserated on my problem. Turns out, I have a reluctance to get started and put things off for fear of not doing them perfectly. Thought I fixed the "perfect" problem with another, self-help book in my 30s; unfortunately, the problem lingers under the surface and sabotages my actions covertly.
Basco is a wry writer and realizes her audience will also procrastinate and possibly put off reading her book. With this in mind, she wrote a little sidebar in chapter one titled, "Resisting the Urge to Procrastinate on This Book."
Among Basco's seven suggestions sits a gold mine of ideas for any reluctant reader not just procrastinators. Her first suggestion refers to the fact that if you see it you will read it. Place the book on your night stand or coffee table. In my case, lay it on top of the stack.
Carry the book with you whether it is out to lunch or a bathroom break. Standing in lines is the perfect time to whip it out and start reading. Instead of listening to the same old television commercials click the mute button and read. Whatever the circumstance, keeping the book in hand means it will be readily available when spare time occurs.
Here's a silly suggestion but Basco says one should plan to read one page at a time. Is there another way? Physically, is this possible? I am at a loss for her meaning. She doesn't expand but she might be alluding to the size of her book. Read in little chunks and an enormous book will eventually be whittled away.
Basco's list contains a couple of "do nots," too. First, do not set unrealistic goals such as read a book by the end of the week or read a book before you do anything else. Reading should be without pressure. Second, do not tell yourself you "have to" read any book. Tell yourself that you want to read no-matter-what, or in the words of Larry the Cable Guy, "Geterdone!"
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Stitches (copy)
Young David grew up in a quiet family who kept their emotions below the surface only to boil-up around inanimate objects. For instance, his father had a punching bag in the basement and every day after work he would pound into an unknown face. His mother took her frustrations out in the kitchen. The slamming of cupboards, clanging of pots and pans, and the harsh sounds of drowning utensils and plates while being thrown into water was a daily occurrence. Even his brother kept the household beat with his drum set.David opted for a noiseless way to act out. At the age of six he became mysteriously sick. His father was a radiologist at a major hospital in Detroit and often David was x-rayed as treatment. His father later claimed that it was standard practice for anyone born with breathing difficulties such as asthma or sinus conditions. Readers will see otherwise as David becomes a human guinea pig.
By age eleven, David has a slight growth on his neck. It is his mother's best friend, Mrs. Dillon, who discovers the small lump. In front of David, Mrs. Dillon makes his mother promise to see a doctor but once she leaves his mother declares, "Doctors cost money and money is something that is in short supply in this house!"
Three and a half years later, David's tumor is too large to ignore and he requires surgery. It is only after he is recovering at home from two surgeries that remove his thyroid gland and one side of his vocal cords that David learns why. A letter, locked in a desk and written by his mother, explains his cancer and how the family refuses to tell "the boy" about it.
David Small's true story, Stitches: A Memoir, is a gothic tale of love denied. He was definitely a product of the times when children were seen but not heard. It was the psychologist that broke the news, "Your mother doesn't love you."
Illustrated in graphic format, older readers will recognize The New Yorker style comics, but this book is for young adults. It appeals to anyone reading graphic novels for it is loyal to the grotesqueness of the genre. It's the heartbreaking story that appeals to all.
I leave you with a quote from the book jacket. "A silent movie masquerading as a book, Stitches renders a broken world suddenly seamless and beautiful again." It is one of those books that live within you long after the last page is turned.
