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NEW BOOKS we love at WORD
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Smart, entertaining geekery is the defining feature of Robin Sloan's novel, which follows newbie bookstore clerk Clay Jannon as he begins to realize that something is entirely, fascinatingly weird about Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. Like Neal Stephenson with a lighter, less info-obsessed touch, Sloan crosses genres and mentalities, and he spins a story that appeals to both sides of the modern story-lover's brain: the side that loves technology, and the side that still probably has a thing for dusty old books and the bizarre secrets they can hold. (Molly)
If you've read his other books, you'll know that Lennon does nothing simply, and Familiar is just as beautifully complex and warped as one might hope. Elisa is compelling because of, rather than in spite of, her flaws, and her circuitous journey is like a highway accident -- a complete wreck that you can't help but stare at. From a shattered family and a troubled marriage, Lennon crafts an intensely psychological thriller that is surprising, engrossing, and unforgettable. For all fans of a weird story well-told. (Jenn)
Miracles Cures is a bizarre, micro-romp through Aira's ever-idiosyncratic imagination complete with labyrinthine walks, an ambulance ride, and a whole bunch of paranoia -- a fun, surreal meditation on the creative process. (Chad)
Jewish Jocks: An Unorthodox Hall of Fame, edited by Frankin Foer and Marc Tracy. In bursts of a couple to a handful of pages we are introduced to famous, infamous, and little known characters from the late 1800s through present day, each subject discussed by a different author. Highly engaging and informative, often quite witty and surprising, this is a fun and unusual collection. (Simone)
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MORE BOOKS we love at WORD
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The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving by Jonathan Evison Benjamin Benjamin's life is in shambles. Once a stay at home dad, Ben is left without a family (or any real work experience) after an unexplained tragedy. So he enrolls in a Fundamentals of Caregiving night course and takes a job caring for nineteen-year-old Trevor, a tyrant who suffers from advanced Duschenne muscular dystrophy and an even more extreme case of lovesickness. When Trev's estranged father ends up in the hospital, Ben and Trev set out on a roadtrip to visit him. Rooted in a strong sense of place and populated with quirky, well-drawn characters, The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving is both heartwarming and devastating as Ben and Trev embark on a funny-sad journey filled with grief, redemption, and joy. (Shane) The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith Written by Patricia Highsmith under a pseudonym in 1952 (several years before Nabokov's Lolita) and published as a pulp novel, this is a tale of forbidden love, New York in the winter, and a crazy road trip. I would call it more psychological fiction than romance, and it will definitely enfold you with its twisted plots and emotions. It also contains the best paragraph I've read in years: it stopped me in my tracks (I was walking and reading), and I read it over and over and over again. No, I won't tell you what page it's on (unless you ask nicely. Maybe.) (Emily) Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan This is one of the craziest stories you'll ever read. A young, beautiful 24-year-old reporter working for the NY Post falls into illness, and everyone around her thinks she's going slowly mad. She has seizures, doesn't act like herself, starts to lose her speech and mobility. She gets checked into NYU and loses an entire month of her life, not remembering what happened to her there but piecing it all together through videos and family stories. The rare autoimmune disease she was lucky enough to have discovered and treated could be undiagnosed in people all over the world now and throughout history, and that's what makes this story so relevant and page-turning. Buy it for the medical junkie in your life, or just someone who loves a thrilling personal story. (Christine) |
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KIDS BOOKS we love at WORD
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Boot and Shoe by Marla Frazee.
Twin fluffy dogs spend their days restfully until a squirrel stirs up some trouble. Illustrated and hand lettered by the author, the drawings are energetic and adorable. (Simone)
The Creature from the Seventh Grade: Boy or Beast by Bob Balaban and illustrated by Andy Rash
Actor, director, and yes, children's author Bob Balaban takes the physical changes of puberty to their illogical extremes, when unpopular nerd Charlie Drinkwater mutates into a giant dinosaur one day! What will he eat? What will he wear? Will he still go to school? And most importantly, what will this do to his social life? This is a really clever take on the always-awkward middle school years. (Jenny)
It's hard to believe that anything could be as darkly and endearingly funny as I Want My Hat Back, but I am here to tell you that This Is Not My Hat is just as good -- and I might even like it better! A tiny fish just stole a very fashionable hat from a very large fish, and isn't worried about it at all. Nope, not worried at all... But maybe he should be! (Jenn)
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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 |
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