Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

This is a quiet, meandering autobiographical novel that takes place in Sag Harbor, New York, the African American answer to the Hampsteads. The main character is a 15 year old skinny and awkward young man, Benji, who, along with his younger brother, Reggie, pretty much have the run of their parent's summer home for much of the season.

During the school year, Benji attends an elite New York City prep school where very few of his fellow students are black, adding to his social unease. Needless to say, he looks forward to his summers in Sag Harbor, where he has a history, a sense of belonging and a group of close friends that he has spent every summer with for as long as he can remember. The boys encounter the usual coming of age issues: girls; summer job; and, jockeying for position within their group.

If you are looking for a book with lots of drama or plot, you may want to skip this one; the book saunters along quite like the summers of our youth. The references to pop culture (the novel takes place in the 1980's) are priceless to anyone who was also coming of age during this era. Whitehead's sense of place and time, as well as his lovely prose and keen observations made this an enjoyable, if slow, read.

The Courtesan's Daughter by Claudia Dain

Lady Sophia Dalby is accustomed to having what she wants when she wants it - not many women possess the brains, beauty and good fortune to go from being a well-known courtesan to marrying a British lord. Now that her seventeen year old daughter, Caroline, is of age, Sophia knows it will take more than a little planning and good luck to find a suitable match for her daughter.

Caroline knows of her mother's past, and also recognizes that her mother is keenly intelligent, world-wise, and still a powerful force with men, all of which Caro wishes to emulate. When Sophia announces that she has arranged a husband for Caro, by purchasing the debts of a young man and insisting on his marrying Caro to pay them off, Caro rebels, refusing to marry someone who had essentially been bought. Instead, in a rash decision, she decides that she would like to be a courtesan like her mother was.

Needless to say, Lord Ashdon, Caro's intended, is quite insulted that Caro would choose becoming a courtesan rather than his wife, and he is quite determined to have her, one way or the other. Naturally, they are both immediately physically drawn to the other, and both fall into their roles just the way Sophia planned. Eventually Caro abandons her plan to become a courtesan, recognizing that Ashdon is the only man for her. Ashdon, for his part, cannot resist Caro's charms, ultimately resulting in their marriage. But is all happily ever after?

With all of its twists and turns, this book reminded me of the movie "Dangerous Liaisons," but without all of the evil undertones. Sophia is a strong woman character, definitely a force to be reckoned with, and Caro and Ash's passion for one another will make romance fans happy! There are numerous sub-plots going on that add to the overall story and cast of characters, and the witty dialogue keeps the story line moving. Fans of this book will want to read more of Lady Sophia in the remainder of the "Courtesan" series; or check out Claudia Dain's webpage at: http://www.claudiadain.com/

My Booky Wook by Russell Brand

Russell Brand might be most well-known in the U.S. for his breakout role as Aldous Snow, the rock star, in the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," but in the U.K. his fame reaches a far wider audience. This comedian, actor, recovering addict and London Sun's "Shagger of the Year" has written an autobiography detailing his rise from working-class Essex to being one of the most flamboyant personalities in the entertainment field.

Putting it mildly, Russell has been a naughty boy his entire life. An only child of his parents' failed relationship, he grew up mostly around women, and his love and respect for his mother is one of his most endearing qualities. While he still maintained a relationship with his dad, that is also where Russell was exposed to some of the seedier sides of life, lessons which young Russell learned well.

Addictions, mental illness, self-mutilation and reckless sexual behavior are all present in this book, sometimes in gruesome detail. Brand is a talented writer and some descriptions of his predicaments are almost poetic. The book is written as he speaks - the cockney accent leaps out at you from the pages. As someone who was a fan prior to reading the book, it was difficult reading some of the situations he put himself into, but the fact that he has faced his demons and continues to come out on top is a testament to his personal strength. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan, or who enjoys reading a good contemporary biography.

May Displays

Can you believe it is May already? I'm still getting used to it being 2009! We've got some great displays going for the warmer weather ahead!

For those of you itching to get out in the garden or yard, check out our great selection of landcaping and gardening books - I become motivated just looking at all the beautiful photos in these books.

In honor of those who have perished fighting for our country, we will have selections from our World War II collection out on display. Of course, if you are interested in any other historical time period, just let the Adult Services staff know, and they will be happy to help you locate it.

May is National Barbecue Month, so we've also got our grilling books out for easy pickin's. Nothing says "warm weather" like the smell of meat cooking on the grill!

Finally, times are tough right now, so look for our display on job searching, resumes and interviewing. You can never be too informed in this day and age, especially when it comes to your career.

Stay tuned for information on our Summer Reading Club, "Read on the Wild Side!" which will begin in June.

Slightly Married by Mary Balogh

Ah, the old "marriage of convenience." No stranger to romances, this particular plotline is resurrected here, although it never feels stale in Mary Balogh's capable hands. Colonel Lord Aidan Bedwyn has promised a dying soldier that he will inform his sister, Eve, of his death and protect her "no matter what." The soldier dies before he can clarify this statement. Bedwyn, a powerful and "granite-faced" man is a man of honor, so he visits Eve to relay the sad news. While visiting, he learns that proud, independent Eve is about to be turned out of her house, along with everyone else who resides there, due to the terms of her father's will. However, if she were to marry within the allotted time period left, the estate remains hers. Bedwyn makes Eve an offer she cannot refuse.

The two agree to marry and stay physically together long enough to ensure the estate stays in Eve's hands, then live their separate lives while remaining married in the eyes of the law. Although both had others in mind for matrimony, they both realize this is the only way to save Eve's home and all the people she has taken in there. They travel to London to perform the private, quiet ceremony.

Following the ceremony, Eve and Bedwyn spend the day sightseeing - she begins to see another side of him, and truly enjoys the time she spends with him. Hidden beneath his stoic nature is a kind heart and a subtle sense of humor. They travel back to her estate, where they both thoroughly enjoy turning her cousin away as he comes to claim the estate for his own, and attend an impromptu wedding reception thrown in their honor. Following this, they part forever, or so they think.

Although they are living separate lives, the two think often and fondly of one another, as well as the others they had thought to marry, but now never will. When Aidan's brother, the Duke of Bewcastle, learns that Aidan is married, he forces Aidan to claim her and present her to society in London, despite Aidan and Eve's wish to remain on the downlow. Eve, of course, is up to the challenge despite her obvious lack of aristocratic heritage. What will become of this "marriage of convenience?" Will Eve and Aidan ever be true marriage partners? Will they live happily ever after?

This is a fine example of Regency romance, with the requisite happy ending, so there are no surprises here. The characters are well drawn, the book zips along at a nice pace, and it all culminates in a satisfying conclusion. This is a good, solid, historical romance, sure to appeal to the romantic in all of us!

The Lost City of Z by David Grann

I am on quite the non-fiction kick these days - although overall I probably read more fiction than non, my only requirement is that a book hold my interest. I've read several non-fiction books that read more like fiction thanks to the talented authors that penned them. This is one of those books.

Percy Fawcett was a man's man and larger than life - from an aristocratic British family, he was a natural-born adventurer who quickly learned and adapted his survival skills in the wilderness. Well known for his vast explorations of South America's unmapped areas, he undertook his biggest challenge in 1925, when he and his party went in search of the fabled golden city of El Dorado, believed to be hidden in the jungles of Brazil. Accompanying him were his 21 year-old son, Jack, and Jack's best friend, Raleigh. Little did they know, this would be Fawcett's last adventure.

The mystery surrounding the fate of the unfortunate party sparked several others to enter into the jungle - to search for Fawcett, to rediscover the city of El Dorado, or to at least uncover what became of the expedition. Many of these men were never seen again - yet, the interest continued. Author David Grann, a self-described city fellow who liked, "newspapers, take-out food, sports highlights (recorded on TiVo) and the air conditioning on high," caught the bug himself, and embarked on his own adventure into the jungle, searching for the fate of Percy Fawcett and his party.

This book is an addictive read - I could not put it down! The story of Fawcett and the other explorers was a fascinating look at a history I previously knew nothing about. Grann's account of his own foray into the jungle was also interesting, both for noting the changes that had taken place in the 80 years since Fawcett's trip, and for the aspects that hadn't changed. This would be a great book for someone who would like to give non-fiction a try - it's suspenseful, adventurous and most of all, a great story.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Piscine Molitor Patel, Pi for short, is a thoughtful and curious teenager growing up in Pondicherry, India. His father runs the local zoo, and Pi enjoys a secure and edifying home life with his parents and older brother, Ravi. Pi discovers the joy of spirituality, and has no problem identifying with three major religions: Christianity; Islam; and, his native Hindu, garnering comfort from all three.

Pi and his family leave India, with some of their animals, to emigrate to Canada; however, their ship capsizes and sinks quickly, leaving Pi, an injured zebra, a hyena, an orangutan named Orange Juice and a tiger named Richard Parker the sole survivors and co-inhabitants of a lifeboat. Nature takes its course and soon only Pi and Richard Parker are remaining. Pi comes to realize that the survival of Richard Parker is vital to his survival, and plans accordingly, ensuring that Richard Parker is well fed and watered. Pi and Richard undertake a long, arduous, often humourous journey on the seas, eventually landing on a seeming island paradise, until Pi realizes the island is carnivorous, and he and Richard Parker are off once again. Near death, the two finally land on the coast of Mexico, where Richard Parker disappears into the jungle and Pi is rescued and taken to a hospital.

While at the hospital, Pi is questioned by two Japanese officials in regards to the sinking of the ship, who do not believe his fantastical story. After much grilling, Pi tells the officials a second, less fanciful story. Which one do they believe? Which one will you believe? What do the two stories reflect about Pi's world view? How is Pi not only able to survive 227 days, but also keep a tiger alive as well?

This book is most unusual - I cannot seem to stop thinking about it and pondering its meanings. I realize I'm a little late reading it - it was published in 2002, but better late than never! This is a beautifully written and mesmerizing book and I recommend it to anyone with a lively imagination or someone who needs more imagination in their life (like me!) Enjoy!