“Something about the magical allure of Manhattan post depression, pre-war drew me in from the start.Towles presents a savvy,often tragic cast of characters on the verge of adulthood and sophistication. The book is full of great descriptive passages and witty dialogue. There is a lingering sense of melancholy (that I am always drawn to) and a longing for what might have been. The portrayal of coming of age in Manhattan society during an era of long gone glamor and romance makes Rules of Civility a captivating read.”

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“An old favorite, Stegner’s Pulitzer prize (1972) book is the beautifully written story of Lyman Ward, a distinguished (but disabled) historian studying family documents in order to write a book detailing the story of his pioneer grandparents.  In researching the saga of his headstrong grandmother and steadfast grandfather, a couple whose marriage lasted in spite of tremendous adversity and tragedy, he comes to learn that he might not be a total victim in the demise of his own marriage.  I have read this book many times and each reading unearths something new as I reflect on it’s flawed, but very human characters.”

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“While the cover shows a beach scene, and indeed, much of the action centers on a multi-generational summer home on the coast of Maine, this is more than a summer beach read.  The women of the Kelleher family keep secrets, confront their past, and try to relate with one another on their own terms.  Pour a cool drink, keep the afghan handy, and explore interesting family dynamics.”

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“I would recommend any of Ellis’ books for adults & teens, as well as the upper elementary students they are geared towards.  She has much to say that we need to hear.  This powerful book is another eye-opener about poverty and the lives of women and girls in other parts of the world. Valli is a street child in India who fears the “monsters”, as she thinks of the people with leprosy. She has a chance encounter with a  doctor, who recognizes both Valli’s leprosy and her innate intelligence. Valli’s rejection and eventual acceptance of medical help mirror her growing ability to make sense of a difficult world. She comes to realize “Nobody really owns anything.  We give back our bodies at the end of our lives. We own our thoughts, but everything else is just borrowed.  We use it for awhile, then pass it on.”  An Author’s Note provides more information about leprosy, and proceeds from the book’s sale go to The Leprosy Mission.”

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A wry and lyrical take on the post-apocalyptic zombie novel, author Colson Whitehead describes a world devastated by a plague that has separated the population into two categories: the living and the living dead.  The novel follows a character named Mark Spitz, a man who can be described as ordinary in every way, except for the fact that he was one of the survivors.  He is now a part of a civilian unit working under orders of a provisional government in Buffalo with one mission in mind: take back and rebuild Manhattan.  While the army has eliminated the most dangerous of the infected, teams of civilian volunteers are tasked with clearing out a more innocuous variety—the “malfunctioning” stragglers, who exist in a catatonic state, transfixed by their former lives.  The living believe that they have won the war-until things begin to go dreadfully wrong.  I loved how this book was able to blend the lines between literary fiction and the horror genre, creating a masterfully wrought work that, despite the current “zombie trend”, is truly unique.

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“Hitchens can join the list of great conversationalists.  No one can match his “cerebral pyrotechnics.” If you’ve ever seen/heard him interviewed, you know what I mean.  Strong, tough and unafraid to speak his mind on many subjects.    He died recently … too young.”

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“This is the perfect book to read if you are thinking about your new year’s resolutions and wondering how you will keep them. Author Gretchen Rubin describes her year-long project of figuring out how to live a happier life. She focuses on different themes each month beginning in January with how to increase her energy. I really enjoyed this book and found many great ideas to apply to my own life. Happy New Year!”

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“This is an autobiography interspersed with accounts of Diane Keaton’s mother’s life.  Keaton learned a lot about her mom from 85 diaries/journals.  She describes a relationship with a parent that many of us share, including her mother’s decline.  Interesting vignettes about her film career and some of the men in her life – Woody Allen, Warren Beatty, Al Pacino.  Did you know that the Hall family in “Annie Hall” was based on Diane Keaton’s family?  More than the autobiography of a legendary actress, Then Again is a book about a very American family with very American dreams”.

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“I know it’s nowhere near Halloween, but once again I’d like to recommend something scary-  The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. If you are looking for a literary ghost story with a strong sense of place and an overall Victorian feel, Susan Hill has written several. This short novel brings to mind classics like The Turn of the Screw and The Haunting of Hill House. The Woman in Black will be adapted into a feature film next year, starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame, so read it now while it is on the shelves”.

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“A hilarious and touching memoir from New York Times restaurant critic, Bruni traces the unlikely path to his profession and offers a searingly honest exploration of this lifelong struggle with food”.

Also available for download as ebook and audiobook.  The audiobook is read by the author.

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