|
|
FICTION we love at WORD
|
|
    The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle
In exchange for roughing up a couple of undercover cops (a total mistake, of course), Pepper gets thrown in the New Hyde mental institution for 72 hours of observation. Does he actually belong there? Does anyone? And is New Hyde haunted? Creepy, insightful, and playfully referential. (Jenn)
Wizzywig by Ed Piskor
Remember that movie Hackers with Angelina Jolie before she got famous? This book is like that movie combined with Cory Doctorow's Little Brother, but as a fictionalized documentary made after the hacker has been caught. It tells the story of how he became a hacker phenom, how he lived underground, and the struggle to get him freed after he's in federal prison. It's not just fluff and fun, though -- it offers some pretty scathing commentary on the effect of media on public perception of pretty much everything. (Emily)
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Sam Raimi may have three witches in his upcoming Oz: The Great and Powerful, but none of them are Elphaba. Gregory Maguire's magical novel has been overshadowed by its musical adaptation, but it's an entirely different beast -- darker, more complex and ambiguous. The first time I saw the cover, I had warring reactions: It's so gorgeous! But you do not mess about with Oz! (Fan fiction wasn't quite so widely known back then, OK?) As it turns out, you can mess about with Oz -- if you do it as well as Maguire, who recreates Oz with political strife, class divisions, and a Witch who maybe isn't all that wicked. Elphaba is one of my all-time favorite characters, and I love her story to bits. (Molly)
The Cutting Season by Attica Locke
This novel achieves a rare balance: a page-turner that is refreshingly complex -- morally, socially, narratively. Attica Locke weaves a story about the ways that we do and don't escape our histories, both individually and as a culture. Caren Gray grew up at Belle Vie, a preserved antebellum plantation where her ancestors were slaves, and after Hurricane Katrina, she finds herself back there, working as manager of tourist operations. The discovery of the body of an undocumented farm worker on the grounds brings up questions about the people who work there, about the corporation that wants to take over the land surrounding Belle Vie, and about how class and labor relations in the South change, yet somehow, stay the same. (Emily)
|
|
NONFICTION we love at WORD
|
| |
   
Cooking for Isaiah by Silvana Nardone
As a relatively new gluten-free and mostly dairy-free eater, I found this book to a be a really excellent resource for simple recipes and ideas for how to eat with these new dietary challenges in a less stressful way. The author (a food magazine editor and writer) had to learn how to restructure her family's diets due to her son Isaiah's gluten and dairy sensitivities. I have picked this book up a lot for inspiration and am studying the basics that she lays out to help make my food shopping smarter and cooking meals easier. Doughnuts, fritters, corn cakes and waffles! Who knew? (Christine)
Giving Up the Ghost by Eric Nuzum
This new memoir centers on Eric's drug-addled, disconnected, and otherwise dangerous teenage years. The details and characters he pulls from his memories summon up a vivid sense of his troubled times. It is told from the vantage point of a gentle adult coming to terms with the facts of his life thus far, including the fact that he has not made it through unscathed. (Simone)
Distrust That Particular Flavor by William Gibson
You probably know Gibson for his sci-fi (and if not, pick up Neuromancer immediately), but his essays are also worth reading. As he explains in his intro, for a hardcore novelist like him, each piece of truth-telling is an exercise in weird fiction -- and it shows. Worth buying for the Steely Dan album review alone! (Jenn)
Mortality by Christopher Hitchens
This collection of essays, written for Vanity Fair during Hitchens' last two years of struggling with terminal cancer, offers the unflinching, clear-eyed meditations on living and dying that we'd expect from this straight shooter. The collection's small size belies the breadth of topics and weight of thoughts within. (Simone)
|
|
Young Adult and Chapter Books we love at WORD
|
| |
   
Every Day by David Levithan
Once I raced through this one I couldn't wait to pass it to the rest of the staff, and they all recognized why I was so enthusiastic about it. I found the concept so unique and refreshing: a genderless protagonist named simply "A" wakes up every day in a different body. A has no control over this process, and knows no other life except this one. But for the first time A meets someone that he/she wants to be with for more than just one day, and that's how the beautiful and complicated relationship with Rhiannon begins. The premise allows Levithan to address a myriad of issues affecting teens today, from gender issues to sexuality to child abuse to drug addiction, and he does it with sensitivity and care. (Christine)
The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan
Lanagan follows Tender Morsels with an equally brilliant and unnerving book about an island where, over a short span of time, all the men succumb to the lure of "sea-wives," willowy, beautiful women who were once seals. Lanagan switches elegantly between generations and perspectives, weaving together the history of the witch who transforms the seals, the men who pay her for her services, and the children whose worlds are reshaped by their fathers' greed and desire. (Molly)
Sixth grader Jack Mogens loves Little League - he's hoping to be starting shortstop this year. But when he gets hit in the head by an inside pitch, he loses his nerve, and almost his love of baseball. Northrop has created a wonderfully realistic world of school, sports and family, and Jack is so genuine and likable, you'll be rooting for him all the way. (Jenny)
D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
This oversized and brilliantly illustrated volume of Greek myths enthralled me throughout childhood and still holds up today. If any book will get you or your child interested in mythology, this one certainly will! Robin Sloan, author of the forthcoming Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore agrees, calling it his "most treasured book" in the San Francisco Chronicle this past weekend. (Angie)
|
|
Picture Books we love at WORD
|
|
   
Dodsworth in Rome written and illustrated by Tim Egan
Dodsworth, who has already traveled to New York, London, and Paris in previous books in this funny early chapter series, has now arrived in Rome with his crazy duck companion. From joining a pizza throwing contest to visiting Trevi Fountain, Dodsworth and the duck get into several silly mishaps and adventures (of course!). How do you stop a duck from adding his likeness to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? (Jenny)
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown
With illustrations by our favorite artist, Peter Brown, Creepy Carrots is an adorable and
just-the-right-amount-of-creepy-without-being-too-scary picture book. Jasper Rabbit is a clueless carrot thief who starts getting haunted by creepy carrots who eventually teach him a lesson. The gorgeous black, white, and orange illustrations totally set the scene and Adrian has loved reading this one over and over already. A perfect early Halloween gift. (Adrian & Christine)
Small Bunny's Blue Blanket written and illustrated by Tatyana Feeney
Small Bunny LOOOOVES blue blanket, and it comes everywhere with him (including the paint table, the swings, and the sandbox). One day, Mommy says she has to wash it, but it will only take a minute. But guess what? Mommy's wrong -- it takes 107 minutes!! Will blue blanket ever be back? And will it ever be the same? A sweet picture book for everyone who has (or who's ever had) a lovey that they're very attached to. (Jenny)
Big Mean Mike written by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Scott Magoon
Mike is the biggest, meanest dog in town -- he goes to the gym, he drives a loud car, he has a spiky collar and pointy claws. Everyone knows that he is Big Mean Mike! Except, apparently, for some very cute fuzzy bunnies, who keep showing up in his car. How can Mike be big and mean AND be friends with bunnies?! Be prepared to growl, yell, and then go "Awwwwwwwwww!" when reading this one! (Jenn) |
|
|
|
|
This has been another production of the book-lovin' fools at: WORD (126 Franklin St Brooklyn NY 11222) Open for your reading needs from: 10am to 9pm, seven days a week Available during those hours at: 718.383.0096 And always open at: www.wordbrooklyn.com |
|
|
