The opening description of a 17-year-old girl playing a pickup game of basketball on the streets of NYC in the 90's is electric. Captivating story, thought-provoking themes, incredible writing. I devoured this book and just sent it off with my 22-year-old son on his trip to Florida. Maureen Corrigan at NPR reviews it here. She loved it too! Maureen Corrigan's review of The Falconer … [Read more...] about The Falconer
This was so funny and helpful--no pun intended. Adored this book and am recommending it to everyone. Powers is witty and cheeky and thought-provoking. A gas to read. Rachel Rosenblit of The Post said, "Marianne Power had me at hello. I’d only read a few pages of her blog-turned-memoir, “Help Me!: One Woman’s Quest to Find Out If Self-Help Really Can Change Your Life,” and I was already all in." Me too, Rachel!!!!! … [Read more...] about Help Me!
Oh, wow! Poetic, fascinating, brilliant writing. I gave this book to my son for Christmas, and I think it changed his life. By that, I mean, he's become a reader. He can't stop. (Talk about sparking joy in ME!) What could be a better endorsement than that. But if you still need convincing, read what The New York Times has to say about A Poet Who Loves Tennis Follows the Grand Tour, in Prose. … [Read more...] about The Circuit
I read more non-fiction than fiction, but this book reminded me what I love about great novels-- could be considered historical fiction as well. It takes place in Newport RI, but it's five distinct stories spanning multiple generations. Thematically the book questions what we have in common as human beings even though we are separated by time, gender, race, and sexual orientation. The way Smith captured the essence of each time period and fleshed out these different characters was fantastic. Ron … [Read more...] about The Maze at Windermere
Excellent writing, unusual story, quite well done! Everyone in book land is lauding this book. … [Read more...] about Asymmetry
Weingarten is a long-form story writer for the Washington Post. I fell in love with his writing in this collection of his best work. I was enthralled by the final chapter where Weingarten enlists the help of Joshua Bell, one of the finest violinists in the world, to pose as a street musician in a busy subway station in D.C.
Weingarten wonders if people can recognize genius out of context and if people will make time for beauty.
Loved this book! … [Read more...] about The Fiddler in the Subway
A Washington Post reporter and his wife spend hours each day traveling to and from their jobs in D.C. With young twins, they feel the pangs of lost time with their children because of their commutes.
When Christopher does a story on the worst and best counties to live in America, he unknowingly sets in motion a new twist to his family's story. After publishing the worst place to live, that community invites him to come and visit.
Christopher is charmed, and when he returns home, he … [Read more...] about If You Lived Here You’d Be Home By Now
I'm reading this now! Here's what the inside jacket says:
"In an American suburb in the early 1980s, students at a highly competitive performing arts high school struggle and thrive in a rarefied bubble, ambitiously pursuing music, movement, Shakespeare, and, particularly, their acting classes. When, within, this striving 'Brotherhood of the Arts,' two freshmen, David and Sarah, fall headlong into love, their passion does not go unnoticed--or untoyed with--by anyone, especially not by their … [Read more...] about Trust Exercise
An eighty-two year old retired professor and widower, Noah, finds himself having to take care of his estranged nephew's eleven-year-old son, Michael, whose father has died and whose mother is in prison.
Neither wants to live with each other, but due to circumstances, Noah is the only remaining option. Their adventure begins when Noah takes Michael to Nice, as Noah attempts to understand some puzzling photograph's that he's discovered from his mother's wartime years during the Nazi occupation … [Read more...] about Akin