Here's a collection of entertaining short biographies about writers who assumed pseudonyms as protective covers, such as the Brontë sisters, who wrote under the pen names Acton, Currer and Ellis Bell; and Eric Blair, who took the pen name George Orwell. Carmela Ciuraru's "Nom de Plume: A (Secret) History of Pseudonyms" is delightfully engaging.
A man sees a shark in a swimming pool…
Ben Loory's new "Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day" is a paperback collection of magical, fable-like stories that explore our inner-most fears and desires. They're short, enthralling and addictive.
Lies, social climbing and time travel
Here are three books that have many indications they'll be interesting, intriguing and/or entertaining. I've given brief descriptions with links to their publishers' websites for further exploring.
The Devil made them do it
Three years ago, Ohio author Donald Ray Pollock received widespread acclaim for his fictional debut, "Knockemstiff," a collection of short stories some likened to a modern-day Winesburg, Ohio, or what the New York Times quaintly referred to as "Winosburg, Ohio". His new novel is out this month, and it's another fine walk on the dark side of Ohio.
The story that’s changing your life
Here’s a book title I’d normally run from so fast there’d be a wind storm in my wake. "Monoculture" brings to mind dry, academic prose proclaiming huge, important concepts that would put me to sleep, or to quick shame for my inability to grasp them. And yet, when approached by the book’s publisher, I agreed to read it, driven to accept her request by a strong instinct. The result? A satisfying surprise.
Murder again in the Yorkshire Dales
Here's a great detective mystery, #2 in the Inspector Alan Banks series written by Peter Robinson. I'm reading the books chronologically, as they were written, so I can come to know the detective over time as he evolves. However, you don't have to read the first Banks mystery, "Gallows View", to enjoy the highly entertaining second, "A Dedicated Man." Here's a quick look at the plot.
A father’s decline, a son’s devotion
In the 1930s and 1940s, Joe Thorndike worked as an editor in Henry Luce's publishing empire, including as managing editor of Life magazine. In the 1950s he went on to be one of the founders of American Heritage and Horizon magazines. The last year of his life, 2005, he struggled with Alzheimer's while living in his Cape Cod home. His son John took care of him and wrote this memoir.
“Ex Libris: The Art of Bookplates”
Yale University Press has published a book showcasing bookplates housed at the British Museum. Here's a description of it, plus links to a slide show, for a preview.
Last year’s beach read, this year’s movie
David Nicholls' "One Day" has captured readers worldwide since its initial 2009 publication in the U.K. With the movie coming out in August, I decided to hurry up and read the book. It's a guaranteed good read, but whether or not the movie can pull off the "one day" magical premise of the storyline remains in question.
A therapy of summer morning
"Give Over, Graymalkin" is Gaylord Brewer's eighth collection of poetry, but it's the first I've read of his work. Here's a glimpse into Brewer's new poems that take us to India, Spain and France, and also celebrate the "dead metaphors" of life.
The story of “Jasper Jones”
Craig Silvey's novel is part murder mystery part coming-of-age story. The book's been winning awards and even got short-listed for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. But is it for teens or adults?
A thirst for fame: John Wilkes Booth
This historical novel about President Lincoln's assassination was published 50 years ago and is newly reissued by the New York Review of Books Classics. It's a great rip of a read that, unlike more contemporary historical novels, sticks close to actual events and people.
Walking the road of ‘know thyself’
Andrew Krivak's memoir about his eight-year journey toward becoming a Jesuit priest is an illuminating story about one person's determination to understand his destiny. He learns that making a proper discernment in such matters happens not in moments of peaceful pondering, but by making decisions along the chaotic way.
Old paperbacks: irresistible vs. collectible
News about Pulpfest 2011 got me thinking about vintage paperbacks, which will be part of the July fun. Here are some in my library, although I'm not sure they're vintage and collectible versus just old and irresistible.
A whale of a story shortlisted by IMPAC
Michael Crummey's "Galore" set in Newfoundland made it to the shortlist of the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. It's a terrific novel filled with offbeat, magical realities. Here's a few words about it, plus the other nine novels on that shortlist.
The Longest Chapter 