A Book of Books, photographs by Abelardo Morell, preface by Nicholson Baker. 2002, Bulfinch Press/Little, Brown. 106 pp. Non-fiction
This is a nice coffeetable-sized book filled with black and white pictures of books. The only commentaries, other than the preface, are quotes about books and writing by various authors. It is too large and hefty to be a good bathroom book, but it is the kind of book to sip and savor your way through. No need to hurry or even "read" in any particular order. Most of the pictures are ones you can look at several times and see something new each time.
The Dressmaker by Elizabeth Birklund Oberbeck. 2006, Henry Holt. 306 pp.
Fiction
Claude is a French dressmaker like his father and grandfather before him. He crafts the most exquisite wedding dresses which leads him to a new client, Valentine, who gives him free rein with her gown. He falls in love with his ideal woman and his life changes forever. The endless descriptions of Valentine remind me of Audrey Hepburn, but she comes across as a curiously shadowy character. Claude’s wife is very one dimensional (can you say "social climber"?), but then, so are most of the other characters. This was a first novel. I’d say Oberbeck should write some more—her writing is interesting, even if the characters are a little uneven.
Fiction
Claude is a French dressmaker like his father and grandfather before him. He crafts the most exquisite wedding dresses which leads him to a new client, Valentine, who gives him free rein with her gown. He falls in love with his ideal woman and his life changes forever. The endless descriptions of Valentine remind me of Audrey Hepburn, but she comes across as a curiously shadowy character. Claude’s wife is very one dimensional (can you say "social climber"?), but then, so are most of the other characters. This was a first novel. I’d say Oberbeck should write some more—her writing is interesting, even if the characters are a little uneven.
The Hours Before Dawn by Celia Fremlin. 1958/1987, Academy Chicago Publishers. 190 pp.
Suspense/Fiction
Suspense/Fiction
Louise Henderson has a baby that cries ALL the time and it is driving her crazy. She can’t sleep, her husband can’t sleep, the doctor is surprisingly unsympathetic, and Louise can’t take it. Miss Brandon comes to stay and everything starts skidding out of control. (Cue the ominous music.) This is a really good suspense novel. It’s been around for awhile but is well worth reading.
Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland. 2008, Touchstone/Simon & Schuster. 382 pp. Historical Fiction
Louise de la Vallière became the mistress of the Sun King, Louis XIV, whose life outshone so many in seventeenth century France. She was born into a poor family, too poor for her to even join the convent as she wished to. She was horse crazy, slightly lame, and religious, unlikely royal mistress material. Then her widowed mother married a marquise and thus began Louise’s introduction to court and her rise to fame and love. This is the ideal historical fiction…the pace moves on a slower scale, much like the times. Gulland attempted to recreate the sights, sounds, and smells of the time period. For people who are somewhat historically challenged there is a good genealogy chart at the beginning and a nice glossary at the end. This is well worth reading if you like historical fiction. Gulland is the author of the trilogy Josephine B.
Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland. 2008, Touchstone/Simon & Schuster. 382 pp. Historical Fiction
Louise de la Vallière became the mistress of the Sun King, Louis XIV, whose life outshone so many in seventeenth century France. She was born into a poor family, too poor for her to even join the convent as she wished to. She was horse crazy, slightly lame, and religious, unlikely royal mistress material. Then her widowed mother married a marquise and thus began Louise’s introduction to court and her rise to fame and love. This is the ideal historical fiction…the pace moves on a slower scale, much like the times. Gulland attempted to recreate the sights, sounds, and smells of the time period. For people who are somewhat historically challenged there is a good genealogy chart at the beginning and a nice glossary at the end. This is well worth reading if you like historical fiction. Gulland is the author of the trilogy Josephine B.
Oneskein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet by Leigh Radford. 2006, Interweave Press. 128 pp. Non-fiction
I’m always looking for projects to knit and preferrably ones that don’t take forever to do. There are several in here that I really want to try—after I finish knitting the second sock I just started. (Or maybe I should just find a one-legged friend to give the first sock to.)
Anyway, I like the looks of these projects. And no, the title is not a typo on my part, it’s all one word.
Anyway, I like the looks of these projects. And no, the title is not a typo on my part, it’s all one word.
My friend RT reads a lot of political and current events nonfiction. He has offered this comment on a book he has been reading:
Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick You with the Bill) by David Cay Johnston. 2007, Penguin. 323 pp. Non-fiction.
In exhaustively researched chapter after chapter, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Johnston explains how many of America’s wealthiest citizens have used tax laws and legislation to enlarge their bank accounts. Should taxpayers subsidize health care companies, golf courses, ballparks and sporting goods stores? This title offers a timely look at how we could reduce the federal budget and ensure that our taxes help every American live a better life, not just the wealthy.
If you are interested in Abelardo Morell's photographs, check out the documentary film Shadow of the House - Abelardo Morell. Director Allie Humenuk filmed Morell and his family for over 7 years both at home and abroad. It is a great film, and it really captures Morell and his work beautifully!
ReplyDeleteCheck out the trailer at the webiste: http://www.shadowofthehouse.com or on the YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ShadowoftheHouse