Title: Auntie Mame Author: Patrick Dennis Published: 1955 My edition: Broadway Books Paperback 2001 Purchased From: Strand Pages: 299 Synopsis (from Strand): The world’s most beloved, madcap, devastatingly sophisticated, and glamorous aunt, Mame is impossible to resist, and this hilarious story of an orpahned ten-year-old boy sent to live with his aunt is as delicious… Continue reading Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis
Category: book review
Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel (& Author Event)
Gentle readers, I’ve returned from a longer than anticipated blogging absence. I went on a relaxing 9 day vacation to Michigan, thinking that I would probably catch up on some book review posts there. I wound up barely touching a computer the whole time. I did finish six books while I was there, which was… Continue reading Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel (& Author Event)
Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
‘The time has come,’ the Walrus said, ‘To talk of many things: Of shoes – and ships – and sealing-wax – Of cabbages – and kings – And why the sea is boiling hot – And whether pigs have wings.’ Alice. The smiling Cheshire cat. The White Rabbit. The Queen of Hearts. The Jabberwocky. It… Continue reading Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
American Fried by Calvin Trillin
I’ve said it before and I will no doubt repeat myself in the future: I love Food Writing. Good authors writing about food is some of the best vicarious living through reading that you can experience. When that author also makes you laugh out loud quite frequently, that’s some good food writing. American Fried: Adventures… Continue reading American Fried by Calvin Trillin
The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
Title: The Sixty-Eight Rooms Author: Marianne Malone Published: 2010 My edition: Random House Hardcover 2010 Purchased From: Barnes and Noble Greenwich Village Pages: 269 Synopsis (from Strand): Every Chicagoan knows about the Thorne Rooms in the Art Institute of Chicago. Sixty-eight miniature rooms, depicting rooms from European homes throughout the centuries, in immaculate detail, precise… Continue reading The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
Permanent Rose by Hilary McKay
I’ve been enjoying the Casson family series by Hilary McKay. This month I finished the third, Permanent Rose. I don’t feel the need to post a full review of it, but here are a few of my favorite lines from the book: “I always say a little prayer when I put cakes in the oven,”… Continue reading Permanent Rose by Hilary McKay
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Title: The Help Author: Kathryn Stockett Published: 2009 My edition: Putnam Hardcover 2009 Purchased From: Book Depository Pages: 451 Synopsis (from Strand): Set deep in the heart of Mississippi, circa 1962, “The Help” offers readers an enchanting and original journey into the trying lives and times of three very different women who chose to come… Continue reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Title: The Left Hand of Darkness Author: Ursula K. Le Guin Published: 1969 My edition: Ace Paperback 2000 Purchased From: Barnes and Noble Lincoln Square Pages: 304 Synopsis (from Strand): Winner of HUGO and NEBULA Awards for Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year. The story of a lone human emissary’s mission to Winter, an… Continue reading The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
McCarthy’s Bar by Pete McCarthy
Title: McCarthy’s Bar Author: Pete McCarthy Published: 2000 My edition: St. Martin’s Press Hardcover 2001 Borrowed from: Hoboken Public Library Pages: 338 Synopsis (from his website): Despite the many exotic places Pete McCarthy has visited, he finds that nowhere can match the particular magic of Ireland, his mother’s homeland. In McCarthy’s Bar, he journeys from… Continue reading McCarthy’s Bar by Pete McCarthy
Inklings by Jeffrey Koterba
Title: Inklings Author: Jeffrey Koterba Published: 2009 My edition: Houghton Mifflin Hardcover 2009 Borrowed From: Hoboken Public Library Pages: 264 Synopsis (from Strand): Political cartoonist Jeffrey Koterba grew up as an awkward twitchy child, his body bursting with the same unsettling nervous tics as his father–a talented musician whose dreams of fame had faded leaving… Continue reading Inklings by Jeffrey Koterba
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
Title: Wishful Drinking Author: Carrie Fisher Published: 2008 My edition: Simon & Schuster Hardcover 2008 Borrowed From: Hoboken Public Library Pages: 163 Synopsis (from Strand): If ever there were living proof of just how intense coming of age in Hollywood can be, Carrie Fisher’s story could very well be considered the ultimate. Born the daughter… Continue reading Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Title: Great ExpectationsAuthor: Charles Dickens Published: 1861My edition: Penguin Popular Classics 1994Purchased From: BookDepository.comPages: 443 Synopsis (from BN.com): Young Phillip Pirrip’s life is shaped by an act of kindness which raises him from poverty to wealth. One of the greatest works of classic literature, this novel is a timeless tale of love, hope and humanity. I read this… Continue reading Great Expectations by Charles Dickens