The Underneath
Kathi Appelt, © 2008
illustrations by David Small
children/young-adult fiction; 310 pages
Lyrical, suspenseful, heart-breaking and warming, and mystical are all words that can describe the debut novel of Kathi Appelt. I discovered this book while at BookPeople shopping for holiday presents. It was one of the staffs' picks for best children's novels. This is no ordinary children's novel.
Set in the bayou woods bordering Texas and Louisiana, the novel describes how the lives of a bitter alcoholic, a hound dog, a calico cat and her kittens, and the mysterious animals and trees of the swamp converge. I personally loved the author's imaginative depiction of trees as sentient and wise.
read it
March 28, 2009
March 24, 2009
unexchangeable
I am an advocate of public libraries and thus do not purchase many books. However, they always seem to accumulate through gifts and last second airport terminal purchases. Every few years I notice the clutter on our bookshelf and start to gather books to be redeemed at a used book store. Although I'd like to live a totally simplified life with as few possessions as possible, there are a few books which I cannot bring myself to exchange. Here they are in no particular order:
The Phantom Tollbooth
Norton Juster, © 1961
fantasy, children's fiction; 260 pages
I didn't discover this children's classic until college when it was given to me by a friend, Thanks Goldbogen! The author has an imaginative perspective and loves word play. You will still enjoy this book as an adult.
consider it
The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom
Slavomir Rawicz, © 1956
non-fiction, survival; 240 pages
This autobiographical account describes a prisoners escape from a Siberian Soviet labor camp and his trek to freedom through China, the Gobi Desert, Tibet, and over the Himalayas to British India. This book was recommended to Cara while she was hitchhiking in Banff, Alberta. An unbelievable story!
read it
Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Dr. Seuss, © 1990
children's poetry
It will inspire you to do great things!
read it
Travels with Charley: In Search of America
John Steinbeck, © 1962
non-fiction, 280 pages
I was hooked after the first paragraph, but I do love a road trip story. Follow the link to read the first paragraph.
consider it
Harry Potter Series
J.K. Rowling, © 1997 - 2007
fantasy, young-adult fiction
I ignored these books during the early crazy hype, but relented when the praise did not stop. After the first one, I too was hooked and eagerly anticipated the releases of the final books. Give the first one a try and see if you can stop. The books are not nearly as cheesy as the movies.
consider it
The Phantom Tollbooth
Norton Juster, © 1961
fantasy, children's fiction; 260 pages
I didn't discover this children's classic until college when it was given to me by a friend, Thanks Goldbogen! The author has an imaginative perspective and loves word play. You will still enjoy this book as an adult.
consider it
The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom
Slavomir Rawicz, © 1956
non-fiction, survival; 240 pages
This autobiographical account describes a prisoners escape from a Siberian Soviet labor camp and his trek to freedom through China, the Gobi Desert, Tibet, and over the Himalayas to British India. This book was recommended to Cara while she was hitchhiking in Banff, Alberta. An unbelievable story!
read it
Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Dr. Seuss, © 1990
children's poetry
It will inspire you to do great things!
read it
Travels with Charley: In Search of America
John Steinbeck, © 1962
non-fiction, 280 pages
I was hooked after the first paragraph, but I do love a road trip story. Follow the link to read the first paragraph.
consider it
Harry Potter Series
J.K. Rowling, © 1997 - 2007
fantasy, young-adult fiction
I ignored these books during the early crazy hype, but relented when the praise did not stop. After the first one, I too was hooked and eagerly anticipated the releases of the final books. Give the first one a try and see if you can stop. The books are not nearly as cheesy as the movies.
consider it
March 19, 2009
emotive
The Leisure Seeker
Michael Zadoorian, © 2009
Realistic Fiction; 270 pages
Pagan Kennedy had this to say about the book, "Is it possible to outrun death and take one last vacation? That's the fascinating premise of Zadoorian's terrific novel, in which an octogenarian husband and wife flee their doctors and take to the highway. She's dying of cancer, he's so Alzheimered that he can't remember her name. Nonetheless, they gun the gas on their RV and rev into a madcap blur along Route 66. Zadoorian has done no less than reinvent the American road story. These Easy Riders - drugged up on meds, desperately in need of their naps, and determined to enjoy every last moment - are some of the most memorable characters I've ever met on the page."
I read this book while on my own road trip with Cara to Taos, New Mexico. It is a very touching story that I was easily able to relate to in many ways such as the love of the road and the ups and downs of lifelong partnership. It spurred me to reflect on the truly important things that I'd like to carry into my golden years...memories, photos, friends, family, and the desire and ability to keep traveling.
read it
Michael Zadoorian, © 2009
Realistic Fiction; 270 pages
Pagan Kennedy had this to say about the book, "Is it possible to outrun death and take one last vacation? That's the fascinating premise of Zadoorian's terrific novel, in which an octogenarian husband and wife flee their doctors and take to the highway. She's dying of cancer, he's so Alzheimered that he can't remember her name. Nonetheless, they gun the gas on their RV and rev into a madcap blur along Route 66. Zadoorian has done no less than reinvent the American road story. These Easy Riders - drugged up on meds, desperately in need of their naps, and determined to enjoy every last moment - are some of the most memorable characters I've ever met on the page."
I read this book while on my own road trip with Cara to Taos, New Mexico. It is a very touching story that I was easily able to relate to in many ways such as the love of the road and the ups and downs of lifelong partnership. It spurred me to reflect on the truly important things that I'd like to carry into my golden years...memories, photos, friends, family, and the desire and ability to keep traveling.
read it
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