Giving a gift book is a risk if you don't know someone's
reading taste. A gift card is always an answer to this quandary, but if you can
find out ahead of time, through a friend, spouse or quick browse in their
house, so much the better. Here are a few new books I'd consider a good gift:
Fiction
These days, World War II-era books are practically a genre by themselves. That time frame is the setting for Sara Gruen's latest, "At the Water's Edge," a very readable novel about a young woman dragged across the Atlantic to Scotland, only to discover her marriage is a sham and no one can—or will—help her escape from the threats she faces. The flavor of Scotland and small village life is rich throughout the book, spiced with a bit of romance and fantasy—in the form of a search for the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Gruen is the author of "Water for Elephants."
These days, World War II-era books are practically a genre by themselves. That time frame is the setting for Sara Gruen's latest, "At the Water's Edge," a very readable novel about a young woman dragged across the Atlantic to Scotland, only to discover her marriage is a sham and no one can—or will—help her escape from the threats she faces. The flavor of Scotland and small village life is rich throughout the book, spiced with a bit of romance and fantasy—in the form of a search for the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Gruen is the author of "Water for Elephants."
For the young man in your
life—especially if he's still in the rebel and revel stages, the 20s, 30s, 40s,
dare I include 50s?—Chuck Palahniuk is a can't-go-wrong choice. His latest is
"Make Something Up: Stories You Can't Unread." He means it. For
original voices and blunt thinking, Palahniuk ("Fight Club,"
"Choked") has earned a mighty reputation.
One of the most popular club reads
lately, Lauren Groff's "Fates and Furies" is the story of a quarter
century of marriage, told from "his," then "her," point of
view. You just know they aren't going to match. This one must be prompting
raging reveals during club meetings. More than that, however, it's the story of
how a marriage is kept intact through the good days, and those
"other" times.
Gregory Maguire of Concord is author of the legendary
"Wicked" series, as well as several other seminal, magical versions
of storybook tales like Cinderella ("Confessions of an Ugly
Stepsister") and Snow White ("Mirror, Mirror"). He has released
another unique retelling. "After Alice," his take on "Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland," was published the last week of October.
Nonfiction:
Maybe you have an eclectic friend, who is interested in many subject areas, listens faithfully to National Public Radio, is old enough to appreciate the good stuff in life and enjoys good writing. Here's a nice choice: Roger Angell's "This Old Man: All in Pieces." Angell is a baseball fiend and a fiercely good thinker and writer. His work, published frequently in The New Yorker (so you know it's first rate) consists here of a series of profiles, essays and interviews ranging across a broad subject area (Derek Jeter and Vladimir Nabokov? Really.) And guess, guess, guess his step-father? The famous E.B. White, himself a grammar and writing guru ("The Elements of Style").
Maybe you have an eclectic friend, who is interested in many subject areas, listens faithfully to National Public Radio, is old enough to appreciate the good stuff in life and enjoys good writing. Here's a nice choice: Roger Angell's "This Old Man: All in Pieces." Angell is a baseball fiend and a fiercely good thinker and writer. His work, published frequently in The New Yorker (so you know it's first rate) consists here of a series of profiles, essays and interviews ranging across a broad subject area (Derek Jeter and Vladimir Nabokov? Really.) And guess, guess, guess his step-father? The famous E.B. White, himself a grammar and writing guru ("The Elements of Style").
"Gumption," by
entertainer/humorous philosopher Nick Offerman ("Parks and
Recreation"), is a collection of earthy, amusing essays about people he
considers fighters or changemakers with gumption. I started out reading about
Yoko Ono, who changed John Lennon's life (and the Beatles'), then stayed to
read about Willie Nelson and Ben Franklin.
Biography
Willie Nelson, whose recent Library of Congress award ceremony included a musical reminder about what this country represents to immigrants, has released "It's a Long Story." Strictly for fans of the man—a hero to many for his courageous stance in favor of marijuana when it wasn't popular to do so—this book is direct. I enjoyed Willie's plain-spoken style and revelations.
Willie Nelson, whose recent Library of Congress award ceremony included a musical reminder about what this country represents to immigrants, has released "It's a Long Story." Strictly for fans of the man—a hero to many for his courageous stance in favor of marijuana when it wasn't popular to do so—this book is direct. I enjoyed Willie's plain-spoken style and revelations.
I haven't read it yet, but
"Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill" has me intrigued.
Surely, someone who strategized with her husband amid the insane pressures of
World War II has to have experienced a lot. Churchill played a role in both
World Wars I and II and the book captures these situations, as witnessed in the
family. I look forward to reading Sonia Purnell's biography. Purnell is said to
be honest as well about Mrs. Churchill's maternal inadequacies.
We all hear about Mark Twain's
youthful and mid-age writings, his Tom Sawyers, his witty essays. For the
writer or Twain buff, I suggest two Twain-related books, both by the author:
"How to Tell a Story and Other Essays," about writing, and Volume 3
of his "Autobiography of Mark Twain." This volume, the final in a
series released in 2010 and onward,
deals with crises in his later years, but also includes much about the
writing life—"a procession of episodes and experiences which seem large
when they happen, but which diminish to trivialities as soon as we get
perspective upon them." Not so his own legend.
Mystery
It's impossible to isolate a mystery, as there are many good ones and as many tastes in styles. I will mention Kate Morton's "The Lake House," because she is such a master of complex, layered mystery. It's well written.
It's impossible to isolate a mystery, as there are many good ones and as many tastes in styles. I will mention Kate Morton's "The Lake House," because she is such a master of complex, layered mystery. It's well written.
Boston news celebrity Hank
Phillippi Ryan has become an award-winning mystery writer. Her latest is
"What You See," the story of a child abducted by her father.
Know any music lovers who read
mysteries? Tess Garritsen just released "Playing with Fire," uniquely
combining her musical ability (she's a violinist) with a knack for raising
goose bumps on readers' arms. This story, from the creator of Rizzoli &
Isles novels, follows a young Boston violinist whose family refuses to believe
that her daughter becomes violent each time she plays the passionate,
mysterious "Incendio Waltz," from sheet music purchased in Europe. A
sub-plot revolves around a musical prodigy who falls in love during World War
II—when Christian-Jewish marriage was not permitted and became grounds for
incarceration. There's a review at www.readitandreeap.blogspot.com.
Science fiction
Not sure if this is sci-fi or
reality, but Paolo Bacigalupi has an idea what life will be like in the
Southwestern states if drought dries up all the water for good. This novel
explores desperation and real possibilities.
Sci fi writers tend to produce
series upon series, and I don't like to recommend that someone start in the
middle. So instead, try Emma Newman's "Planetfall," a combination of
science fiction mystery and an introspective look at mental illness, and "The
Martian," by Andy Weir—the book behind the movie starring Matt Damon.
Religion
Marilynn Robinson is famous for insightful
portraits of human spirit in the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Gilead" and in
"Lila," both familiar to book clubbers. Now, she has released
"The Givenness of Things," in which she defines what is still
inspirational and humane in our society amid its technological and big business
obsessions. It's a stirring critique, drawing attention to what we remain as
humans.
Contemporary:
I like Brandon Stanton's series of photographed tales about New Yorkers he meets on the streets, randomly profiled on his blog of the same name. Now, they're captured in a book, "Humans of New York: Stories." It's very readable and occasionally moving. Gives one a good perspective on what it's like to be human, period.
I like Brandon Stanton's series of photographed tales about New Yorkers he meets on the streets, randomly profiled on his blog of the same name. Now, they're captured in a book, "Humans of New York: Stories." It's very readable and occasionally moving. Gives one a good perspective on what it's like to be human, period.
"The New Tsar" by
Steven Lee Myers. Readers don't mind a downer now and then, and those with
political interest will find this biography of one of the most frightening
Russians since Rasputin: Vladimir Putin. The former KGB agent has built a
complex system of autocracy around him as Russia's president. He'll probably be
around for a long time, might as well bone up on him.
Classics—Book club
suggestions:
Sterling Library's book club members sent in a few
suggestions for timeless good reading, all of them good choices.
"We found that "Pride and Prejudice"
and "The Great Gatsby" were tops in our group, followed by "Jamaica
Inn" by Daphne Du Maurier. "Jamaica Inn" was perhaps the most
surprising classic we read," said Lisa Perry. "None of us expected it
to be as good as, and perhaps even better than, Du Maurier's best known work: "Rebecca."
What are your group's
suggestions for great classics—the old stuff—you've read? Send them to
ann.frantz@gmail.com
Meetings in the area:
Leominster's Reading, Sharing and Laughing will meet Dec. 3,
7 p.m., at Chiabo in Fitchburg to discuss "Go Set a Watchman," Harper
Lee's much-discussed early novel.
The Friday Morning Book Club in Northborough plans a
discussion of Camus' "The Stranger" at its 10 a.m., Dec. 11 meeting.
Heywood Library's group, in Gardner, will meet at 4:30 p.m.,
Dec. 23, to view a video of "The Orphan Train," which they read about
in Christina Baker Kline's book of the same name during November.
The Women's Issues Book Club will meet Dec. 14 for its
annual celebration of Worcester-area women poets. The public is welcome to
listen, or read, at an informal 7 p.m. gathering, being held this month at
Frances Perkins Branch of Worcester Public Library, 470 West Boylston St. (Greendale). The Jan. 11 selection is
"Elizabeth is Missing" by Emma Healey.
Off-Track Bookies from Lancaster is reading Jodi Picoult's
"The Storyteller" for its Jan. 14 meeting, and has slated a
potluck/gift exchange for its 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10 meeting, during which upcoming
selections will be made.
At Haston Library, North Brookfield, readers will consider
Kazuo Ishiguro's "The Remains of the Day" on Dec. 8.
Speaking Volumes, an audio book group (www.audiojournal.net)
will discuss Louise Erdrich's "The Roundhouse" during its 8 p.m.,
Dec. 1 meeting.
Mendon Library Book Club plans to discuss "The Unlikely
Pilgrimage of Harold Fry," by Rachel Joyce. Meeting is at 7 p.m., Dec. 1.
January's selection is Kristin Hannah's "Comfort and Joy."
In the classics vein, members of Pearl L. Crawford Memorial
Library Book Club will discuss Betty Smith's "A Tree Grows in
Brooklyn" at their 6 p.m. Dec. 3 meeting. Up for Jan. 7 is "The
Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot. The Group meets in
Dudley.
Ann Connery Frantz is
a fiction writer and co-founder of the Seven Bridge Writers Collaborative in
Lancaster. A career-long journalist, she is also a freelance writer and editor. Send comments or questions to ann.frantz@gmail.com. This column was originally published in the Worcester, Mass., Telegram & Gazette.
