PARKER'S PICKS
Created by Kathy Parker, Librarian
submitted by Sherry Neimann
October 03, 2008
PARKER’S PICKS
SEPT/OCT 2008
The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story, by Diane Ackerman
My interest in World War II and the Nazi’s led me to this interesting memoir. This book is on several reading lists for young adults as well as adults. Jan Zabinski is the director of the Warsaw Zoo and along with his wife, Antonina, they shelter over 300 Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto. This is truly an amazing story of courage. The tragedies and atrocities Antonina shares continue to show the evil and horrific plan of Hitler’s. This would make a wonderful book club book as well as a book to read during the study of the Holocaust.
The Pale Blue Eye, by Louis Bayard
The year of the murders is 1830, the place of the murders is West Point Academy, and one of the main characters is – Edgar Allen Poe. Retired New York police detective, Augustus Landor is enlisted to solve some macabre murders at West Point. Edgar Allen Poe is a young cadet there (actually he really was a cadet at West Point!) Landor seeks out young Poe to help him to solve these murders. I loved this book because of all of the twists and turns the novel took – especially the very surprising ending!!!
The Meaning of Night: A Confession, by Michael Cox
“After I killed the red haired man, I took myself off to Quinn’s for an oyster supper…..” So begins this Victorian murder mystery, told in the first person, by the killer himself – Edward Glyver. This is a story of deceptions, secrets, and how Edward’s life is sent into turmoil by his Eton roommate – Phoebus Daunt. There are several characters as well as subplots, but if you enjoy a great Victorian novel, this is exactly for you!
The Book of Air and Shadows,by Michael Gruber
Here’s another literary thriller, set in the 16th century and in present day. It involves William Shakespeare and Albert Bracegirdle, an English spy and soldier. Fast forward to present day – Jake Mishkin, a New York attorney, goes on the run from Russian gangsters and along with, Albert Crosetti, a worker at an antiquarian bookstore, they travel to England in search of a lost Shakespeare manuscript. If you enjoyed, The Advance Code, you’ll enjoy this one!
Summer at Tiffany, by Marjorie Hart
If you’ve ever received a gift from Tiffany’s you’ll enjoy this short memoir by Marjorie Hart. Along with one of her University of Iowa sorority sisters, Marty, they embark on a remarkable trip to New York City during the summer of 1945 to find a job at Lord and Taylor’s and ends up landing jobs at Tiffany’s!! They become the first female pages at Tiffany’s. They earned $20.00 a week! In her book, Marjorie shares her encounters with Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich at Tiffany’s, romances, and V-J Day in New York City. It was a truly enjoyable read!
Million Dollar Baby: A Marjorie McClelland Mystery, by Amy Meade
This was a great and quick summer read for me! If you enjoy mysteries, check this one out! The story takes place in Ridgebury, Connecticut, in the 1930’s. Marjorie McClelland is a mystery writer working on her first novel. When Creighton Ashton arrives in town, driving a Rolls Royce, Marjorie decides he can help her with her debut novel. Ashcroft has recently purchased the Kensington mansion where a long ago suicide took place. McClelland and Asthton hook up and tour the grounds of his new home when they stumble upon the body of a murder victim. Along with the help of handsome Detective Jameson, the three of them try to solve the mystery. Booklist Magazine stated in their review, “If only Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart were still alive….it would make a fabulous movie!”
Run, by Ann Patchett
This is another great story by the author of Bel Canto! Bernard Doyle, former mayor of Boston, raises three sons after the death of his young wife. Sullivan is their natural born son but Teddy and Tip, both African-American, was adopted. One snowy night as Bernard, Sullivan, Teddy, and Tip are leaving a lecture by Jesse Jackson at the Kennedy Centre, Tip is almost hit by a car. Out of nowhere a woman named, Tennessee, saves him from being hurt. In the process, she is hit by the oncoming car. So begins an amazing story of parenthood, love, and family.
Twilight; New Moon; Eclipse; Breaking Dawn, by Stephenie Meyer
What a fabulous series by Stephenie Meyer!!!! I haven’t been hooked on a series since Harry Potter!! I guess you could say this is a modern day, Romeo and Juliet! The only difference is, young Edward is a vampire and Bella is a human! Bella Swan moves in with her father to the small town of Forks, Washington and at her new high school, she meets and is intrigued with Edward Cullen. Once he tells her his clan only hunts wildlife instead of humans, Bella falls hopelessly in love with him. People of all ages are reading this series is record time! This November, Twilight, will be released in the theaters. Can’t wait!
