Author: lpcl2014

Before the new year is ushered in, you may want to take a look at The Wall Street Journal’s best fiction and nonfiction books of 2016.  I was surprised to learn I hadn’t read even one of the books mentioned. Take look…

FICTION

The Story of A Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasam
Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume
Moonglow by Michael Chabon
Heat & Light by Jennifer Haigh
Imagine Me Gone by Adam Haslett
The Heart by Maylis DeKerangal
Oblivion by Sergei Lebedev
High Dive by Johnathon Lee
The Sport of Kings by C.E. Morgan
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

NONFICTION

The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman
Secondhand Time by Svetlana Alexievich
Eccentric Orbits by John Bloom
Code Warriors by Stephen Budiansky
The Vanishing Velazquez by Laura Cumming
In a Different Way by John Donvan and Caren Zucker
Abigail Adams: Letters by Abigail Adams and Edith Gelles, Editor
The Rise and Fall of American Growth by Robert J. Gordon
Harry & Arthur by Lawrence J. Haas
Black Hole Blues by Janna Levin

 

Barbara Loewengart

Are you looking for a last minute holiday present or a well-deserved treat for yourself? Ina Garten’s latest cookbook, Cooking with Jeffrey, may be the perfect gift. While I was reading Cooking with Jeffrey and hungrily eyeing each photograph, I couldn’t help but think how Ina Garten is extremely likeable and talented. Her recipes are equally flawless for a house filled with company or for dinner for two.  A highlight of Cooking for Jeffrey is her description of how she met Jeffrey, stories of their courtship and being newly married.  Get cooking!

Barbara Loewengart

Paula Hawkins, who wrote the worldwide bestselling The Girl on the Train, has a new book on the way.  Into the Water, which will be published in May 2017, is a psychological thriller about a single mother and teenage girl who are found dead weeks apart in a river bed.  Hawkins’ fans (me included) are hoping for another fast- paced, engrossing thriller with a surprise ending.

Barbara Loewengart

Glennon Melton bravely shares her truth in her bestselling memoir, Love Warrior.  There is much wisdom in this book about marriage, communication, self-acceptance, finding your power and tenderness, forgiveness and living an authentic life.  

Barbara Loewengart

Historical fiction fans will be glad to discover author Geraldine Brooks.  She is a master of creating strong, complex women within the pages of her books.  I had read People of the Book several years ago and was impressed at the detail and language.  I recently read The Year of Wonders and Caleb’s Crossing and was not disappointed.  The Year of Wonders is an intriguing story set during the time of the plague. The language is superb along with the flow of the plot and strong characters. The one glitch is the way the story unfolds near the very end. Still, Year of Wonders is a great read.    Caleb’s Crossing is set in Martha’s Vineyard during the 1660’s and tells the well imagined story of a meaningful friendship between a young English girl and Native American boy.   Give Brooks a try.

Barbara Loewengart

Maria Semple, the very talented and funny author of the bestseller Where’d You Go Bernadette, has just released her second novel, Today Will Be Different.  I’m only ten pages in but Semple’s wit is already burning through each page.

Barbara Loewengart

Have you thought about joining a book group recently?  If so, join us at our evening and/or afternoon book discussion groups.  This month our afternoon book discussion will be held on Monday, September 19th at 1:00PM.  We will be discussing Plainsong by Kent Haruf.  The evening book group will discuss The Excellent Lombards by Jane Hamilton on Wednesday, September 14th at 7:00pm.   We hope to see you then!

 

Barbara Loewengart

Have you ever wondered what The President of the United States reads for pleasure?  Each summer President Obama has shared his summer reading list.  This year his list includes: The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead; H is for Hawk, by Helen Macdonald; The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins; and Seveneves, by Neal Stephenson.

Barbara Loewengart

 

About this time of year, most of us here would be quite interested in working at this beach library:)

Barbara Loewengart

What could be more appealing to bring to the beach than a book titled I’ve Got Sand in All the Wrong Places? Mother daughter duo Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella have just published their sixth book filled with humorous essays about parenting, love and dating, family and pets. A perfect book to read during the lazy days of summer.

Barbara Loewengart