News from Duck's Cottage

John Pipkin is going to be getting some attention for Woodsburner, a novel based on a little known episode from Henry David Thoreau's life in which he accidentally sets fire to 300 acres of woods. I've read the first few chapters and must say it is captivating. Etta, by Gerald Kolpan, is another new novel that plucks a character out of history. Etta Place ran with the Wild Bunch, a gang of outlaws which included Butch Cassidy, but little else is known of her identity leaving much for Kolpan to richly imagine. Out in paperback later this month is the much talked about Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall. Linda Nave read an advance and gave it a thumbs up, my Random House rep is also raving about this little novel. Denver says not to bother with T.C. Boyle's The Women; he and I both think Drop City is Boyle's finest. Deanna and I both read Dark Places the new book from Gillian Flynn, author of Sharp Objects. This is a dark and disturbing mystery with a lot of disagreeable characters. Deanna really liked it, it made my tummy feel funny. Finally picked up the Margaret roanoke

Lawrence novel, Roanoke- she has a very unusual writing style but it worked for me, plus it was fun reading this fictional account of the English colonies on Roanoke Island. Handle With Care is Jodi Picoult's latest novel in which she once again tackles a taken-from-the-headlines issue. This time a couple must decide whether to sue their best friend and obstetrician for missing an earlier diagnosis of brittle bone syndrome in their funny, beloved daughter. Had she done so, they now say they could have aborted and by suing her, they can solve mounting medical debts. (Picoult is a little icky for my tastes, but people love her!) Kate Mosses' latest, Sepulchre, is now available in paperback. Alan Brennert's new novel Honolulu is out; his following from Moloka'i should be pleased with this tale of Korean war brides in Hawaii in the early 20th century. Christopher Moore fans will enjoy Fool, his reimagining of the King Lear story. For book clubs who slavered over Eat, Pray Love, check out Elizabeth Gilbert's earlier work including the recently reissued Stern Men, a novel about life in 1970's New England. In her more familiar non-fiction voice, is The Last American Man. Our reading group just read The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany. This was an interesting study of the characters who inhabit, or work within, a building in downtown Cairo. Their hopes, dreams, loves and losses. An informative look at life in modern Egypt. I'm so excited about this month's Duck's Cottage Reading Group book- A Mercy by Toni Morrison. A Spring Break book for sure!! Another book I just added to my Puerto Rico pile is Turning Tables, by Heather and Rose MacDowell, a supposedly hilarious novel that circulates around the staff of a top Manhattan restaurant. The Leisure Seeker, the March selection for Jamie's Book Club, has gotten favorable response. Author Michael Zadoorian answered readers questions on our blog www.duckscottage.bogspot.com.

Charlie and I are both dying to read James Patterson's latest in his YA Maximum Ride series -Max, just out this month. Book number 3 in The 39 Clues is out- The Sword Thief continues the adventures of the Cahill orphans and was written by Peter Lerangis. Top Chef's Tom Colicchio is out with a new cookbook that springs both in name and content from his gourmet sandwich shop of the same name 'wichcraft; its subtitle? 'Craft a sandwich into a meal and a meal into a sandwich.' I hope he's included the recipe for his chopped chickpea sandwich. I love that one. Kate Jacobs (Friday Night Knitting Club, Knit Two) has a new paperback this month- Comfort Food.

Now go read something good!