Book 100: "Travels with Charley" by John Steinbeck

     My hiking friend, Dana Johnson, really likes this book.  We talked about it quite a bit during our travels up and down mountain trails last summer.
     In 1960, John Steinbeck hopped in a specially made camper (named "Rocinante" after the horse in Don Qixote) with his dog, Charley (a French Standard poodle) and drove off to see the America he had written so much about since the 1930's.  (The author's oldest son, Thom, was said the real reason for the trip was that Steinbeck knew he was dying and wanted to see the country one last time.)
     In "Travels with Charley", Steinbeck shares his citizen encounters and conversations from the 10,000 mile trip he made across the United States.  The book was published in the summer of 1961 and quickly became one of the author's most commercial successes.  In the Fall of 1962, John Steinbeck was
awarded the Nobel prize for literature.

Book 99: "The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir" by Josh Kilmer-Purcell

    You may have seen their new cable show, "The Fabulous Beekman Boys", on Planet Green.  Now you can read the book!
     The Beekman Boys are a gay couple (Josh and his partner Brent) who move from the high octane life of Manhattan (he is an Ad. agency exec. and he is a Dr. who works for the Martha Stewart company) to become gentlemen goat farmers in a small, New York village.  The author's style for telling their story of going from the gay culture to agriculture is funny, engaging and honest.  As one reviewer wrote, "It's like sitting on the couch with an old friend and catching up."
     "The Bucolic Plague" chronicles one of our classic American dreams--you know, fix up the old farmhouse, start a local business and settle down to the Good Life.  And although this book is much, much more than an updated version of "Green Acres", while reading it, you may still find yourself humming,                  "Darling, I love you, but give me Park Avenue!"
                                          --recommended by "Books N Things",  Norway, Maine

Book 98: "Days with Daisy" by Nancy Hohmann

   I have a very close and personal connection to this book.  "Daisy" was our treasured golden retriever who had a rare form of bone cancer.  Nancy Hohmann is a good, family friend, who is also an animal communicator.  "Days with Daisy" is a collection of "conversations" Nancy had with Daisy during the last few years of our pet's life.

     Nancy is quite clear that it is Daisy's book.  It was her (Daisy's) idea all along!  In these pages you will discover one dog's philosophy on a variety of Life topics.  Daisy shares her thoughts on many things, including friendship, loyalty and, most important of all, having a grateful heart!
    If you have never read a book by a wise and worldly golden retriever, you might want to put "Days with Daisy" on your summer reading list.

Book 97: "The Poacher's Son" by Paul Doiron

     "The Poacher's Son" takes place along the real coast of Maine and its Northern Woods--not the one the tourists know.  This first book from Paul Doiron, editor-in-chief at "Down East" magazine, may very well leave readers wanting more of Maine game warden Mike Bowditch.
     Here is "Publisher's Weekly" plot description:  "Game warden Mike Bowditch, who hasn't heard from his dad, Jack, in two years, wonders what the man wants from him after Jack leaves a cryptic message on his answering machine.  Mike later learns that his father is the prime suspect in the murders of a cop and timber executive.  Jack, a brutal alcoholic, makes his living poaching game, but Mike can't believe that his father is a cold-blooded murderer."
                           --Recommended by "Books N Things",  Norway, Maine

Book 96: "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" by David Wrobleski

     This is a terrific book and great summer read!  We talked about it on "What Are You Reading?" about 6 months after the book came out in 2008.  If you or someone you know is one of those people who does not read a whole lot of books, but really "get into" the ones they do--"The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" may be the book for you (or your friend) this summer.
     To a great extent, this story is a retelling of the classic "Hamlet" tale.  It is set on a farm in northern Wisconsin where the family business is breeding and training dogs.  Edgar is the 14 year old son who can hear, but not speak.  He uses sign language to communicate with dogs as well as humans.  If you remember the plot to "Hamlet", you will have an idea of what happens in this story.  However, you do not need to be an expert or even a fan of The Bard to enjoy "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle".

Book 95: "Faithful Place" by Tana French

   "Faithful Place" is the new Dublin-based thriller by Tana French.  It will keep you turning its pages this summer!
     Frank Mackey, who is now the head of an undercover unit, left home 20 years ago to elope to London with his girlfriend, Rosie Daly.  However, she never showed up to take the boat, so 19-year-old Frank thought that she changed her mind at the last minute.  Back in the present, Rosie's suitcase is discovered in an abandoned house.  Frank now picks up the trail to discover what really happened.  The journey will take him back to his violent and dysfunctional past.
     This is a thriller of love, loss and life in modern day Dublin.

Book 94: "Women, Food and God" by Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen

     Quote from the book, "No matter how developed you are in any other areas of your life, no matter what you say you believe, no matter how sophisticated or enlightened you think you are, how you eat says it all."
     If there possibly can be a new way of looking at how we and what we eat, Maryann Jacobsen may have found it in her new book.  Not only does she encourage women to distance themselves from diets and focusing on body image, but to go further and embrace the feelings you desire from the foods that you crave (i.e. it's not about the "forbidden cookies", it's about the "feelings" you get from having them--so, not to be overly simplistic here--pursue the feelings, not the food).
                                        --recommended by "Books N Things",  Norway, Maine

Book 93: "The Inheritance" by Simon Tolkein

     Okay, let's get the celebrity-talk-show-stuff out of the way first--Simon Tolkein is the grandson of the esteemed British novelist J. R. R. Tolkein.  That might be nice for some to know, but it doesn't matter because Simon Tolkein is an excellent writer in his own right.
     In "The Inheritance", we are taken to the Old Bailey where 22-year-old Stephen Cade is on trial for the murder of his estranged father.  Stephen, the son, was recently cut out of his father's will, denied a request for money, had met with his father in the family library (where the body was found) and his finger prints were on the gun next to the body.  So is this a slam dunk?  Not to the investigator in charge of the case, Detective Inspector William Trave.  Before this young man is sentenced, Trave decides to dig deeper into this compelling mystery.

Book 92: "The Dharma Bums" by Jack Kerouac

     Just about everybody has heard of "On the Road" by one of the Founding Fathers of the Beat Generation, Jack Kerouac.  "Dharma Bums" was his follow-up book, published one year later in 1958.  Geoff Gronlund of EFG Books in Bridgton is a big fan of the Beat Generation.  His store features many books by Beat authors and poets.  We talked about "Dharma Bums"on the show.
     Similar to "On the Road", this book is another autobiographical novel based on the writer's adventures in California as he first discovers and then contrasts the spirituality of Buddhism with the commercialism of middle-class American life.
     Kerouac's prediction (in 1958) of a "rucksack generation" that thumbs its nose at conventionality and conformity certainly came true in many places around America over the next 10 to 12 years!
  
  

Book 91: "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" by Aimee Bender

     The idea of "foods and moods" has crtainly been explored in other popular books, most notably "Like Water for Chocolate".  However, Aimee Bender has come up with a fresh mix of intriguing ingredients for her new novel.  Here are excerpts from two reviews.
     From "Booklist":  "Eating the cake her mother has prepared for her ninth birthday, Rose Edelstein discovers that she has a gift:  she can taste her mother's emotions in the food she prepares.  Soon, every bite is filled with feelings--not just her mother's but those of other people as well--and then what might have been a gift becomes a burden and then, perhaps, a curse."
     And from "Amazon Vine":  "This is one of those rare books that makes me realize how grateful I am that I enjoy reading and am given the gift of being able to slip into someone else's story.  "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" kept me enchanted and locked in its story until the last page.  And then I insisted my husband read it, which I rarely do."

Book 90: "The Joy is in the Journey" by Betty Hill Crowson

     Okay, here is another reviewer alert!  Betty is a friend of mine, so I am biased right from the start!  Betty has also been on the show talking about this book.  She has both the professional credentials and the personal life experience to be a credible writer of self-help books.
   "The Joy is in the Journey" is very comprehensive in its approach to creating personal change--so it should be of interest to a wide audience of both women and men.  But, the text is also practical enough to really give readers both helpful insights as well as personal skill builders to assist them in making changes in their lives.
     If personal change is on your radar or a friend's radar screen this summer, "The Joy is in the Journey" is well worth reading.

Book 89: "Deliver Us From Evil" by David Baldacci

     In David Baldacci's new book the villain is Canadian!  Now there's something new--the evil, bad guy is from a country known for its politeness.  And Canadian Evan Waller, Baldacci's billionaire bad guy, has done some very evil things--and plans to do more!  So, not only is "Shaw", the one-name-hero of this new book series, after him, but so is a British operative.
     The action takes place in a small town in Provence where Waller has rented a villa for his French vacation.
     I have enjoyed a number of Baldacci's thrillers--including his Camel Club series; this one looks like another satisfying rollercoaster read!

Book 88: "The Body of This" by Andrew McNabb

     Andrew McNabb is an energetic and talented writer from Portland who has been on "What Are You Reading?" His book, "The Body of This" is a collection of spiritual stories revealing the complex architecture of people and their places.   The stories all take place in Portland, Maine.  And, although McNabb's Catholic faith resonates throughout much of his writings, these stories are aimed at a much wider and more inclusive audience.
     One reviewer aptly describes Andrew and his stories this way:  "McNabb is a good storyteller, with a gift for bringing to the foreground significant details that illuminate his characters' hearts and minds . . . they linger in your memory long after you have given the book to a friend."
     McNabb's stories involve mature topics and situations that some
                                                      readers may find challenging.

Book 87: "Storm Prey" by John Sandford

     This is the 20th book in the Prey Series that features Lucas Davenport, a Minnesota cop.  While some Davenport fans might argue that the character is not as dark and complex as he once was, the good news is the "good guys" still beat the "bad guys" in this one and it's an exciting ride along the way!
     In "Storm Prey", Lucas Davenport investigates a botched robbery at the hospital pharmacy that results in the unintended death of the on duty pharmacist.  Davenport's wife, who is a surgeon at the hospital, is a key witness in the investigation, as she almost collided with the getaway car.  The doctor, who must now be protected by the police, is part of a team preparing to perform the intricate surgery of separating conjoined twins.
    As "Booklist" noted, "this is another fine entry in a wildly popular series".

Book 86: "One Day" by David Nicholls

     It's July 15, 1988.  Emma and Dexter have just graduated from university.  They enjoy a night of romance and then go their separate ways the next day--so begins David Nicholls brilliant character study, "One Day".
     We, the readers, will now become close friends with these two extremely engaging characters as they check in with each other every July 15th over the next 20 years.  Sometimes they meet in person, other times they write or phone, and a few times they are simply on each other's mind that day.  As their lives progress, Dex battles with the personal demons of addiction while Emma remains warm and funny, if somewhat directionless.
     This is absorbing summertime reading!  Many fans have finished this 435 page book over a weekend, a few have confessed to finishing it in one sitting.

Book 85: "61 Hours" by Lee Child

     Jack Reacher is the central character in 14 of Lee Child's thriller novels.  He is a former U. S. Army M.P.  who has both a quick and agile mind and body.  Since leaving the military, Reacher has traveled across the U.S. with only a toothbrush and wallet (he buys new clothes every few days).
     Here is one reviewers description of the opening plot line for "61 Hours":  "When Jack Reacher hitches a ride on a senior citizen tour bus, he has no idea what's in store for him.  After the bus skids off the road during a snowstorm in Bolton, South Dakota, Reacher finds himself marooned in a town of turmoil.  An elderly woman who has witnessed a large drug deal go down agrees to testify, but the outmatched local police must keep her alive until the trial.  When the police ask for his help, Reacher moves in to protect the woman."
     Lee Child is a superb craftsman of suspense--you may want to check out earlier Jack Reacher stories after reading this one.

Book 84: Pick A Janet Evanovich Book . . . How About This One?

     Janet Evanovich is an extremely popular author who spends much of her time in New Hampshire.  She began as a writer of romance novels using the pen name Steffie Hall.  However, she discovered that she enjoyed writing the action parts of the story rather than the romantic parts, so Janet switched her genre to the mystery novel.  Her continuing character (15 books and counting) is Stephanie Plum, a New York lingerie buyer who is also a bounty hunter--how's that for a blended career!  Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books consistently land on the New York Times bestseller list.
     One Evanovich fan I spoke with recently loved "Fowl Play", one of the author's earlier books.  There can be quite a bit of humor in Evanovich's stories and "Fowl Play" is no exception.  The story has to do with a dancing TV chicken who goes missing . . . . and, of course, "fowl play" is expected!

Book 83: "Guys Write for Guys Read" by Jon Scieszka

     This book was recommended by Annika Black of the Bridgton Library.  It is one of those books that would be of interest to both the young reader (Gr. 6 to 9) as well as the adult reader looking for something a little different.
    Scieszka has compiled an impressive list of male writers (Stephen King, Daniel Pinkwater, Chris Van Arlsburg, among many others) who contribute short, often lively anecdotes about their boyhood.  As an "extra", a bibliography of each writer is listed so it is easy for the casual reader to find more books by a particular author.
     It is a fun read of true stories from the lives of guys who know how to tell a good story!

Book 82: "The Hawk's Cross" by Mark Varnum

     I interviewed Mark on "What Are You Reading?" about his book.  If you enjoy historical fiction, you might want to put "The Hawk's Cross" on your summer reading list.

     In Varnum's W.W. II book, Lt. Ken Mitchell returns to his Maine home with the somewhat boring assignment of performing a "coastal watch".  Mitchell feels like he is missing out on all of the war action and soon reunites with his old school buddies, including a former girlfriend.  However, events take a dramatic turn for the lieutenant and the local residents when a German U-boat is sighted near local waters.  Loaded with both ammunition and spies, this unwelcomed intruder quickly adds a new element of intrigue and excitement to Lt. Mitchell's assignment!

     "The Hawk's Cross" is a suspenseful mix of history and mystery that happens right in our own backyard!

Book 81: "Pomegranate Soup" by Marsha Mehran

     This book is part of the Norway Library's "Food and Culture" summer discussion series.  "Promegranate Soup" looks like a pretty appetizing and satisfying read!  One reviewer on "Book Browse" writes, "This was a fascinating story of three sisters from Iran who open a cafe in a tiny town in Ireland.  The characters come alive and are people you would find in your own neighborhood."
     Frank Delaney, the author of one of my favorite books, "Ireland", describes "Pomegranate Soup" this way:  "Few novels have such charm, such fusion.  Marsha Mehran takes one of the great staples of literature, food and its creation, and makes it the vehicle of a delightful, subtle fairytale. . . She delivers a moving and very amusing enquiry into whether differences between peoples exist at all."

Book 80: "Call of the Wild" by Jack London

     On a cold January night, Rose Johnson and Geoff Gronlund (from EFG Books in Bridgton), and I talked about Jack London and his literary works.  London is a fascinating person who led an interesting life that ended tragically.  "Call of the Wild" is London's most-read book.  You might enjoy a visit or (for many of us) a re-visit with "Buck", the sled dog, during the warm evenings of summer.
     Buck is a domesticated dog whose wilderness instincts return when he becomes part of the Klondike Gold Rush of the 19th-century.  Because the main character is a dog, "Call of the Wild" is often classified as juvenile fiction, but this novel has also appeared on many adult reader lists of favorite literary classics.
     There have been several film and television productions of "Call of the Wild", featuring famous Hollywood celebrities like Clark Gable, Loretta Young and Charlton Heston.

Book 79: "The Burning Wire" by Jeffrey Deaver

     Lincoln Rhyme, a quadraplegic criminologist and former police chief, returns in Jeffrey Deaver's new suspense novel, "The Burning Wire".  Deaver is known for his simple yet elegant style of writing. 
     There are two compeling storylines running throughout this book.  First, Rhyme is quite busy bringing the very evil "Watchmaker" to justice when (second) Manhattan's supply of electricity comes under attack.  The FBI, CIA and local police persuade Lincoln Rhyme to get involved in this matter, as well.
     Deaver keeps these two plot lines moving at a fast clip.  The author is a masterful storyteller--you will find yourself in the middle of the action right from the very beginning!    

Book 78: "The Rembrandt Affair" by Daniel Silva

     I enjoyed reading Daniel Silva's "Moscow Rules" and "The Messenger".  Silva's central character in these books is Israeli secret-agent, Gabriel Allon, who also moonlights as an art restoration specialist.  The stories take place at colorful locals around Europe (and other exotic places), and the supporting characters, both the good ones and the "bad guys", are always interesting and well-written.
     Silva's new Gabriel Allon spy book, "The Rembrandt Affair" comes out in early July.  The action travels from London to Amsterdam to Buenos Aires to Lake Geneva.  As is usually the case, Gabriel Allon is in pursuit of a very powerful villian who will stop at nothing to succeed.
   "The Rembrandt Affair" should be really good summer entertainment!

Book 77: "Kayaker's Journal" by C. Lee Baker

     Cynthia and her husband, Perry, have been longtime friends with my wife, Marsha, and I.  She is a painter, potter and writer!  "Kayaker's Journal" is her second book.  In it she provides the reader with a homespun sampling of life at a fish camp in Florida.  Cynthia also takes us on an exploration of the Inland Waterway to meet the gentle creatures that live there.
     Cynthia was on "What Are You Reading?" last summer.  "Kayaker's Journal" is a wonderful, personal reflection on our rapidly changing world.  It may be just the right type of  book to have laying around on the sun porch or back porch this summer.  

Book 76: "Burn" by Nevada Barr

     I am a fan of our National Parks and I am a fan of mystery-action books.  Therefore, I am a big fan of Nevada Barr's  park ranger, crime-solver Anna Pigeon series!  "Burn", the sixteenth book in this series, comes out in early August.  It look like we, her fans, will not be disappointed!
     Here is reviewer David Pitt's preview of "Burn".  "In her new novel, Barr takes Anna Pigeon out of her element.  This time she is in New Orleans staying with a friend, when, believe it or not, somebody tries to put a hex on her. . . . There is a reason why this story needs to be set in the Big Easy and Barr develops the narrative carefully, never letting the eerie black-magic elements overshadow her solid and suspenseful plotting."  A definite winner.

Book 75: "The Day the Frogs Went Hopping Mad" by Heath Roberts

         Heath Roberts is a local writer who we interviewed on "What Are You Reading?".  His first book, "The Day the Frogs Went Hopping Mad" will be the only children's book we will post on "Our 100 Books of Summer List".  (Children's literature is another complete universe unto itself!)  Heath, the father of two pre-schoolers, is a young writer with plans for more books!  We wish him well.
       "The Day the Frogs Went Hopping Mad" is a tale told in rhyme (Heath enjoyed Dr. Seuss books as a child) about the hunt for "Big Daddy".  And like all  children's books, the story has an important lesson to be learned from its' telling.
     Heath has made several local book appearances for young readers --complete with frogs!  So, if you know a four, five or six year old who likes to catch frogs, you might want to share Heath Robert's story with them this summer!

Book 74: "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson

     Hooray for the senior set!  They still endeavor to do what they believe is right, even in our fast-paced, ego-centric world of spin and justified immediate gratification.  And, they can still fall in love, too!  That's what you will discover in this charming tale of new love and old family money.
     "Major Pettingrew's Last Stand" is written by first-time novelist Helen Simonson.  It concerns both the budding romance of two seniors from diverse backgrounds and a family feud over financial holdings.
     This is a romantic comedy about sensibility and manners at a time when those qualities seem to have gone missing.  As an extra bonus, Helen Simonson makes falling in love at 60 seem like a trip back to your first high school date!

Book 73: "Spies of the Balkans" by Alan Furst

       I really, really liked Alan Furst's "The Spies of Warsaw".  He is masterful at re-creating the unique feel of a particular time and setting. You know--creating atmosphere, transporting the reader to a different time and place!  The critics say he has done this again with his new book, "Spies of the Balkans".  Both of these books take place in Europe in the threatening days leading up to World War II.
     The reviewer for Title Peek writes:  "Alan Furst outdoes even his finest novels in this thrilling new book. With extraordinary authenticity, a superb cast of characters, and heart-stopping tensions as it moves from Northern Greece to Paris to Berlin and back.  "Spies of the Balkans" is a stunning novel about a man who risks everything to right-in many small ways--the world's evil."

Book 72: "Winesburg, Ohio" by Sherwood Anderson

This recommendation comes from Holly Hancock at the Bridgton Public Library.  Holly says that in reading "Winesburg, Ohio"--a book that was published over 90 years ago-- she can still see many connections to our community life in 2010.
     Holly writes:  "Winesburg, Ohio" is a collection of short stories clustered around a central character that exposes the lives of the people of Winesburg.  Each of the stories interconnects with the life of George Willard as he grows up, aspires to journalism, and ultimately departs small town America for the big city.  Although it was written in 1919, the inner conflicts and passions of the characters are timeless."
     The book received much critical acclaim when it came out, although the public response was somewhat more subdued.  Today, "Winesburg, Ohio" is considered one of the great novels of twentieth century America.

Book 71: "The Spy" by Clive Cussler

     Cussler is best known for his Dirk Pitt novels which have hit the New York Times bestseller list several times.  He is back in true storyteller form with his latest book, "The Spy", which he co-authored with Justin Scott.  This is their third collaboration on the expanding  Isaac Bell detective series.  Bell is a private investigator in the early 1900's who seems to have many of the same qualities of another famous detective from the past--Sherlock Holmes.
     In this new novel, Detective Bell is called in to investigate the apparent suicide of a top designer of military weapons.  The daughter of the dead man suspects foul play and, after looking into matters, so does Bell.
     "The Spy", a very good summer suspense thriller, seems to have breathed new life into Clive Cussler's long and successful writing career!

Book 70: "The Bourne Deception" by Eric Van Lustbader

     I am a big fan of the Jason Bourne films.  Many people are.  "The Bourne Deception" is the seventh book in the series, the first three were written by Robert Ludlum, the rest by Eric Van Lustbader.  The next Jason Bourne novel, "The Bourne Objective"  is due out sometime this year.
     Reviewer Margaret Marr writes:  "There's usually a lot going on in each Jason Bourne thriller, and "The Bourne Deception" is no exception.  Several storylines that seemingly have no connection begin to intersect until they come together in an explosive climax--and, boy, does it explode!
     Lustbader manages to dig deeper in to the Bourne identity and make him an even more fascinating and endearing character.  Jason Bourne is the Energizer Bunny of top secret missions . . . he just keeps on going, determined to put bad men out of commission for good."
 

Book 69: "The Paris Vendetta" by Steve Berry

     I am just finishing this book.  "The Paris Vendetta" fulfills all the requirements for a good summer read--intriguing, fast-paced adventure set in tourist-trendy locals (London and Pairs) with a cast of well-defined (if not a little stereotypic) characters.  It's a fun read, but it also gives you a few political-economic things to consider along the way . . . and maybe even after.  (Also, you will also learn a great deal about the fascinating life of Napoleon Bonaparte.)
    This is the fifth book in the Cotton Malone series created by bestselling author Steve Berry.  Malone is a retired police operative with the U.S. Justice Department.  However, he still seems to land in the middle of the next big government caper.  And this one has many suspenseful twists to it!

Book 68: "The Passage" by Justin Cronin

 
    Stephen King has called "The Passage" "your basic don't-miss reading experience (of the summer)".
     Like an increasing number of books being published, "The Passage" is part of a trilogy.  The story takes place in the American future, where years are now counted A.V. (after virus).  The virus has to do with a military experiment that goes horribly wrong, creating a race of vampires.  Vampires, as we know, are today's most popular and bankable monster--the author sold the literary rights to the trilogy for somewhere around $3.75 million and the movie rights for $1.75 million.
     "The Passage" is an impressive blend of literary genres that comes together in a thrilling narrative.  It should attract a wide range of readers.
                 --Popular Selection at "Borders Express" North Conway,  N.H.

Book 67: "The Bone Garden" by Tess Gerritsen

     Gerritsen's two popular characters, Dr. Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli, will make it to television this summer.  I will be watching. "The Bone Garden" does not feature these 2 Boston-based professional women (except for a brief appearance by Dr. Isles).  However, many critics consider this historical novel one of Tess Gerritsen's best!
    The setting is Boston in the 1830's and the story revolves around an Irish immigrant, Rose Connolly, who will stop at nothing to protect the welfare of her deceased sister's child.  It is a well told story with many interesting characters for the reader to meet along the way, including the very real Oliver Wendell Holmes, an aspiring medical student at the time.  For the more squeamish, beware--"The Bone Garden" is also about the gruesome business of grave robbing to provide cadavers for medical study--so while most of the book is a real page-turner, there are some parts that are real stomach-turners.

Book 66: "Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of the Game" by Tilly Bagshawe

     For the most part, we love sequels and revivals.  It is both comfortable and exciting to re-visit "old friends", anticipating re-creating some of that original magic again.  That is what this next novel is all about.
     Sidney Sheldon was one of America's most popular and prolific storytellers.  All 18 of his novels made it to the top of the New York Times bestseller list, he created "The Patty Duke Show", "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Hart to Hart", and his screen plays included "Easter Parade" and "Annie Get Your Gun".
    This new book is a sequel to Sheldon's 1982 blockbuster, "Master of the Game".  Its' author,  Tilly Bagshawe, does an admirable and accurate job creating an updated visit to the Maxwells, America's richest and equally dysfunctional family.  It is a family saga complete with many unexpected twists and turns for the reader.
                                              --Popular Selection at "Borders Express",  North Conway,  N.H.

Book 65: "The Lion" by Nelson DeMille

     "The Lion" is the highly anticipated follow-up to "The Lion's Game".  "The Lion" is the code name for a Libyan terrorist on the loose in the U.S.  He is planning a terror attack of horrific proportions!  It is up to John Corey, an agent with the Anti-Terrorism Task Force, to make sure the Lion does not succeed with his mission.  If you are a fan of this genre, "The Lion" will not disappoint!
     David Pitt in "Booklist" writes, "This is a well-constructed and satisfying sequel, full of exciting (and occasionally gruesome) visual imagery.   Corey is a more developed character this time around and Khalil (the lion) is every bit as intelligent, cold and compelling as he was in "The Lion's Game".
          --Popular Selection at "Borders Express" North Conway,  N.H.

Book 64: "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman

     "American Gods" has the distinction of being selected as the first ever "One Book One Twitter" book.  For those of you who hold a more jaundiced view of current social media, this book also won the 2002 Hugo, Nebula, Locus, SFX Magazine and Bram Stoker awards for Best Novel.  It is a book with a fascinating premise!
     That central concept is that gods and mythological creatures exist because people believe in them.  And that new gods have come into being reflecting our obsessions with media, technology, celebrity and drugs, among others.  The central character in "American Gods" is Shadow, a convict recently released from prision.  He begins work as a body guard to one of these "new gods", Mr. Wednesday--and this incredible science fiction thriller takes off!  What follows is a delicious mix of ancient and modern American mythology.
     Neil Gaiman is also the author of the popular "Sandman" graphic novels.

Book 63: "The Good, Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood" by Sy Montgomery

   This book about a 750 pound pig is a real "warm fuzzy"!  Christopher Hogwood becomes the somewhat heavy anchor in the author's life as she settles into life in rural New Hampshire.  As Christopher Hogwood's grows so does his celebrity status in the community and the media!
     Martha Jackson writes, "I call this the pig counterpart to "Marley and Me". Montgomery shares her 14 years of lessons learned from her 750 pound 'friend'."

Book 62: "Songs in Ordinary Time" by Mary McGarry Morris

 
     This novel made it on Oprah's list--and Jen Dupree's as well!  Jen writes:
     "This is a family, and a town, that will stay with you.  Marie is the mother of three children.  She is divorced, lonely and inclined to believe in the con man that charms his way into her life.  This is the story of their lives in a small Vermont town.  Many of the characters Morris creates are deeply flawed but that makes them believable, and memorable."

Book 61: "Tasha Tudor's Garden" by Tovah Martin

     Tasha Tudor was one of America's renowned book illustrators.  Her first book, "Pumpkin Moonshine" was published in 1938.  She would illustrate over 100 books in her lifetime and receive many prestigious awards for her work, including the Caldecott Award for her "Mother Goose" book.  This book is about the beautiful gardens at her home in Vermont.  Martha Jackson writes:
     "Not only do I love reading about her gardens and how she cared for them, but I also love looking at her flowers.  Even though she was a famous illustrator of children's books, she lived a very simple life.  This is one I own and especially love to look at in the dead of winter.  Enjoy!!"
                                                                

Book 60: "Mary" by Janis Cooke Newman

     We've talked about a couple of different books written about President Lincoln on the show, most notably Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals".  "Mary" looks like a fascinating read!  It is a novel written in the first person, comprised of notes made by Mrs. Lincoln when she was an inmate of a lunatic asylum.  She writes the book to maintain her sanity.  Mary believes that, despite holding seances in the White House and being a compulsive shopper which drove her family into debt, she is quite sane..  And, she makes a good case for herself!  (However, no president has been more praised nor any first lady more vilified than Abraham and Mary Lincoln.)

     Our reviewer, Martha Jackson, writes, "A lover of historical novels, I found this one especially interesting because it is from the perspective of Mary Todd Lincoln."

Book 59: "The Falls" by Joyce Carol Oates

 

    "This is the story of the strange courtship of widow-bride Ariah Erskine and Dirk Burnaby, their marriage, and the family they produce.  Set in Niagra Falls, it is part mystery, part family saga, all of it deeply woven together into a rich and unforgettable novel."

                                                                  --Jen Dupree

Book 58: "Double Bind" by Chris Bohjalian

     "This is a riveting thriller that I couldn't put down.  The author intertwines a story of a woman's obsession with "The Great Gatsby" and a terrible incident in her life.  In true Bohjalian style, he takes the reader through twists and turns to a surprise ending."
                                       --Martha Jackson

Book: 57: "Digging to America" by Anne Tyler

  

   "When two very different families adopt babies from Korea they form a bond--whether they like it or not.  With great tenderness and humor, Anne Tyler explores what it means to be an American, what it means to be a family, and what it means to be a friend.  I found myself laughing out loud in parts and yet, there were other parts that were quietly thought-provoking."

                                                                 --Jenn Dupree

Book 56: "Peace Like a River" by Leif Enger

  

   "I love a book that asks me to suspend belief and then delivers.  "Peace Like a River" is  the story of a father who performs miracles but who cannot undo the murder his oldest son commits, or the fact that he subsequently becomes an outlaw.  Told from the youngest son's perspective, this is a novel of love, the hopefulness of the human spirit, and the possibility that miracles happen every day."
                                                           --Jenn Dupree

Book 55: "We Took to the Woods" by Louise Dickinson Rich

     If your summer includes some vacation time spent in a cabin or a camp out in the woods or on a lake,  you might want to pack this Maine classic as part of your reading material.  Here are Martha Jackson's comments one of her favorite reads.

     "This story of adventure and humor was first published in 1942.  Rich writes of her life in the backwoods of the Raqngely area with her husband and son.  As a  lover of the Maine woods, I loved to read how she managed to care for her family living so far from the "Outside", and her descriptions of their life in the wilderness."

     "We Took to the Woods" became a bestseller and the author followed up with another book in 1950 entitled, "My Neck of the Woods".

Book 54: "Saturday" by Ian McEwan

 "I think Ian McEwan, who also wrote "Atonement", is a master of detail.  As the title indicates, "Saturday" takes place in a single day.  It is the story of an ordinary man living an ordinary life for whom the events of this single day reveal the kind of person he really is.
     What is so good about this book is the way McEwan gives us detail after precise detail that puts us right in Henry Perowne's life, and make us cheer for him to become the hero after all."
                                                                                           --Jen Dupree

Book 53: "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Schaffer

     We talked about this book on the show.  People who have read it, loved it!  The novel has both an interesting name and unique narrative style.  Here is what Martha Jackson wrote:

     "Under harrowing circumstances a book club is formed on the Isle of Guernsey during the German occupation.  The novel is written in letters between an author in London and the members of the club.  When I finished, I wanted to invite them in for tea!"  

     Unfortunately, Ms. Schaffer, who was a librarian and former bookseller, died before the publication of her book.  "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society", her debut novel, quickly became a best seller!

Book 52: "My Only Story" by Monica Wood

     I am very grateful to Jen Dupree and Martha Jackson, avid readers from the Harrison Village Library, for the next 12 entries (Books 52 to 63) on our summer reading list.  This first recommendation is for a book written by Maine author, Monica Wood.
     "Hairdresser Rita is one of the most unforgettable characters I have ever come across.  She is eternally, misguidedly, optimistic and her need to help right a very wrong situation leads her down a disastrous path.  Rita decides that she must help John Reed build a relationship with the niece who has been denied to him because of the horrible of his brother.  But life intervenes and things don't turn out exactly as Rita has planned.
     There are very few books I have read more than once, but "My Only Story" is one of them."
                                                                                      --Jen Dupree

Book 51: "One Fifth Avenue" by Candace Bushnell

  

   Even librarians enjoy literary fluff!  And this recommendation from Kathleen Kramer is definately that-- Fluff!  Candace Bushnell's new novel takes an inside look at the upscale life of successful Manhattanites.  It is a Greenwich Village Art/Deco World populated with several, cleverly created characters. 
     As Kathleen says, "This read is my guilty pleasure!  It's fluffy and fun."  There are pleasures to be found at "One Fifth Avenue" for the summer reader!