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Reading Rescue, May 2009:
Reader Suggestions
 By Anne Allen and Mary Anne Fulmer
Being associated with the library, as we are, people
often want to talk to us about books: what they are reading now, what
they've liked in the past, sometimes even books they don't like. Being
the mighty Reading Rescuers (no boring books here!), we usually are
familiar with the books they tell us about, but every once in a while
someone mentions a title or an author we just haven't explored. This
month we are saying thank you for those suggestions and passing on a few
that we like, too.
Long time readers know that Reading Rescue Husband (RRH)
is a big fan of Nelson DeMille, especially his John Corey series.
Recently however, books by Malcolm Gladwell have been keeping him
enthralled, and we agree. If you haven't yet read Blink (153.4
GLA), go right to the library and get it. Gladwell's belief is that we
use no more than two seconds, the blink of an eye, to make assessments,
and that we are correct an amazing percentage of the time. He uses
examples ranging from policemen out on a call, to a spectacular purchase
by the Getty Museum, to speed dating to show how all the grunt work in
the world is no match for that quick look that tells you yes or no. Can
we be manipulated or focus on the wrong cues? Gladwell addresses that,
too, in a compelling and easy to read book that will change how your
view of how you make your own decisions.
In the novel, Last Night at the Lobster, Stewart
O'Nan dissects the closing of a chain restaurant. Manny DeLeon, the
dedicated manager of the Red Lobster in New Britain, Connecticut, comes
to work with the goal of a perfect last day, before he moves on to a
nearby Olive Garden. Everything is against him, starting with the
weather (it is December 20, and a blizzard is predicted), the staff that
has no incentive to show up (most of them aren't being offered jobs at
"the Olive"), and even the customers who have no idea this is the end of
the restaurant. In 146 pages, O'Nan details the daily routine of a
restaurant and depicts how a single closing like this affects many
lives. If you've ever worked in food service, this will bring back many
memories, and even if you haven't, the next time you visit a restaurant
you'll know what table touches are and what really happens with those
comment cards.
Giulia Melucci looks back on her checkered love life
with humor and recipes in I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti
(641.5945 MEL). Beginning with her college days and through a career in
publishing in New York, Giulia reflects upon past boyfriends, how she
used her cooking ability to attract and keep them, and those same skills
to comfort herself after the inevitable partings. The cast of characters
includes an alcoholic, a man with a commitment phobia, a way overage
hipster, and several Peter Pan types with no desire to grow up. Melucci
stays on good terms with them (she made contact with all of them before
putting them in her book) and her fond attitude toward these men adds to
the appeal of the book. And don't forget the recipes! With names like
"First-Date Butterflies" and "Morning After Pumpkin Bread", these
recipes contribute to the enjoyment of this amusing memoir.
Arabella Hicks' mother named her after the heroine of a
romantic novel by Georgette Heyer, but Arabella's life is about as
ordinary as it can be. In Susan Breen's novel The Fiction Class,
Arabella is still grieving over the loss of her father, her novel is
still unfinished after seven years, and her mother is dying in a nursing
home. On top of that, she is scheduled to teach another session of the
Fiction Class for adults who want to write. It is fun to see how
Arabella's life changes with her latest group of students and how even
her mother, Vera, has a surprise or two for her. Anyone that loves books
will appreciate Arabella's class assignments, given at the end of each
chapter, and it doesn't hurt that the woman named after a romantic
character finds a little romance herself. This is quick fun read with
engaging characters and a sprinkling of practical information on
constructing a novel.
In Karen Jacob's novel The Friday Night Knitting Club,
Georgia Walker's life is good: she owns a successful yarn shop, is able
to support her twelve year old daughter Dakota, and has a group of
friends and co-workers to help her. This knitting club includes Lucie,
an underemployed TV producer; Darwin, the feminist grad student who
can't finish her thesis; Peri, who works in the shop and struggles to
find time for her own designs; and K.C., a book editor who finds herself
unemployed. As these women come together on Fridays to knit, talk over
their troubles, and eat Dakota's baked treats, Georgia faces some
surprising challenges herself. Dakota's father has moved back to New
York and is eager to be a part of his daughter's life. And an old friend
from high school has reappeared with an unknown agenda that somehow
involves Georgia. An unexpected tragedy adds depth to the story and the
relationships. If you like books by Maeve Binchy, give this a try!
Thanks to everyone who helped make the Friends of the
Penn Area Library spring used book sale a success. Donations for their
next sale may be dropped off at the library, and helpers are very
welcome. As always, please send comments and recommendations to
mfulmer@pennlib.org or phone
the library at 724-744-4414.
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