Sneaky Book Pusher

Magical Realism

2011-05-26T07:29:00.004-04:00

The idea of an entire town whose women are unwittingly affected by some force is not so unique, but Meg Wolitzer's treatment of the subject in The Uncoupling makes this story stand out. When the new drama teacher chooses Lysistrata for the school play, the students and community don't foresee the consequences. The changes are gradual and happen independently, so you can imagine the surprise when the truth comes out so dramatically. With its well-developed characters and varying points of view, The Uncoupling is worth the read.

Important Work

2011-02-15T18:09:00.000-05:00

Down Among the Dead Men tells one woman's experience as a mortuary technician from day one. It's gritty in some chapters (hard to get around that) but the author writes very respectfully of her coworkers and the people who require her services. She balances her work life and her personal relationships and writes very engagingly, making this an interesting read from start to finish.

What Once Was

2011-02-08T18:56:00.004-05:00

There was a recent news story that mentioned the Book-Cadillac Hotel of Detroit. The name intrigued me, so I checked out David Kohrman's Detroit's Statler and Book-Cadillac Hotels to find out its story. The book begins with the Hotel Statler, built on Washington Boulevard in 1915. It has plenty of photos documenting the conception and rise of the building, as well as vintage interior shots. The Book-Cadillac, built in 1924, was the tallest hotel in the world. It is named after the three Book brothers and, like the Statler, had a private bath in each guest room--ultimate in luxury for the time! While the Statler sits vacant, neglected, and decaying today, the Book Cadillac has been restored and is one of Detroit's finest hotels.

Decaying Beauty

2011-01-23T20:37:00.003-05:00

I'm fascinated by the recent surge of interest in documenting the demise of Detroit. It's not new but it seems to be gaining attention now. It saddens and sickens me to see the crumbling of so many beautiful works of architecture and disheartens me to know how many people wish they could help and don't have the means to do so. I was especially struck by a few of the images in Andrew Moore's Detroit Disassembled: there's a tree growing out of decayed Detroit Public School books on pages 36-37, and there's a deceased cat curled on a chair next to books in the defunct Mark Twain branch of the Detroit Public Library. Memorable? Yes. Shameful? Yes.

Trying to Love

2010-10-01T19:06:00.002-04:00

I was given an advanced reader's copy of David Levithan's adult book "The Lover's Dictionary." As with all of his books, I like the premise, I'm intrigued by the plot and characters...but then I'm disappointed by the product. There are a few brilliant turns of phrase in this one but neither partner is very sympathetic and the non-linear storytelling doesn't give me enough information to be invested in the outcome.

Briefly Happy

2010-08-11T07:48:00.003-04:00

Anna Quindlen wrote this terrific little book ten years ago. I crossed paths with it right now and that's probably divine intervention. The wisdom she's gained and freely shares could speak to anyone in any situation, as long as the reader can accept it. One of the mantras: "Keep still. Be present."

Sister Love

2010-07-08T19:42:00.003-04:00

I can't imagine life without my sisters. Our relationships to eachother and our parents change over the years but we have that common history that no friendship can ever rival. It's getting more complicated lately, so I was eager to read You Were Always Mom's Favorite for insight. I gained some knowledge and I've been thinking so much, but I don't have solutions yet.

Devil in the Details

2010-07-02T10:23:00.003-04:00

AvroKO's designs resonate with me, I think, because they consider the history of buildings when creating identities for the restaurants that inhabit those spaces. They bring in unexpected touches and use materials that one might never encounter anywhere else. I especially liked the card catalog of past menus in PUBLIC (of course), as well as the meat hook chandeliers at Quality Meats. Best Ugly highlights just a few of their successful projects.

Painful

2010-06-03T08:39:00.003-04:00

If you can remember when you were a teenager, you must have some cringe-worthy moments. Would you ever think about sharing them with the world? It seems some people have no qualms about it and their notes and diaries are out there for all to see in Cringe. Lots of the documents will strike a chord with you, I'm sure, and some are just too painful to read.

Read Me More, Please

2010-05-07T23:02:00.000-04:00

I just finished listening to Sherman Alexie's War Dances on CD. Sherman reads the stories himself--it doesn't get better than that. As his voice came through my speakers, I was reminded of the evening that I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time. True Confessions had just been published and he read parts of it aloud. He's so remarkable--and you get to see glimpses of that in his writing. Funny, painful, wonderful.

The Unexpected

2010-05-06T19:11:00.001-04:00

When young mother Amy dies suddenly from a heart condition, her mother and father move in with her husband and the three children to help out. Roger Rosenblatt ("Boppo") reveals moments of sorrow and delight that result. You'd never want to imagine having to deal with such grief but you envy the closeness that such a tragedy can produce, when you are Making Toast.

That Teen Age

2010-05-05T10:52:00.000-04:00

Anne Lamott's latest work examines the difficulties parents face as their children grow and mature much too fast. Rosie is a senior in high school, doing all the things she should be doing (hanging out with friends, learning in class, thinking about boys) and some things she shouldn't (experimenting with drugs, skipping school, flirting with a teacher). Her mother, a recovering alcoholic, tries to do her best to keep tabs on Rosie and prevent the behavior from getting worse. Imperfect Birds captures and adeptly expresses the emotions of both women, leaving you wondering who is suffering the most.

Short and Compelling

2010-04-21T07:49:00.004-04:00

The women of Love Stories in This Town are complex and compelling. The stories vary in mood and setting but ring true always. My personal favorite (for obvious reasons) is "Butte as in Beautiful" and begins with the sentence, "It's a crappy coincidence that on the day James asks for my hand in marriage, there is a __________ loose in the library." I'm not telling you specifics--you'll have to read it for yourself.

Collective History

2010-04-16T11:00:00.002-04:00

Several years ago I visited the National Archives in Washington D.C. I was awestruck by the sheer volume of items there and loved how history sprang to life through them. Records of Our National Life allows you to bring the Archives home and cozy up to them. I love seeing the Top Secret documents, and all the photographs and handwritten letters. A very cool look into the lives of Americans past, both famous and unknown.

Not Alone

2010-04-15T10:45:00.002-04:00

Penny Lane's parents are huge Beatle fans--can't you tell? She's had bad luck with boys and decides to focus on school and friends without the distraction of romance. Thus begins The Lonely Hearts Club. This sweet story will bring back the thrill and dread that accompanies high school relationships vividly. There are enough twists to keep you interested and rooting for Penny to the last page.

All Thumbs

2010-04-14T10:38:00.004-04:00

'Tis the season for thinking about putting in gardens and watching things grow. I've had middling success in years past, so this year I've been reading and researching before I plant a thing. Grow Great Grub has ideas for small-space gardening and the pictures alone will motivate you. Raised-bed Vegetable Gardening Made Simple isn't as flashy but has more information and diagrams than you could digest in a single season. I've implemented suggestions from both titles already--time will tell if they produce results.

Those Remaining

2010-04-01T09:22:00.004-04:00

Somehow I ended up watching "The Bridge" in the same week I finished Hold Still. Both works thoughtfully portray the family and friends of those who take their own lives. You get a feel for the depths of sadness that might drive someone to do such a thing through the words of the survivors and the grief that remains in their wake.

Heavy Duty

2010-03-17T11:05:00.002-04:00

I was so excited to read the latest from Joshua Ferris, The Unnamed. The characters and plot hooked me from the first chapter. This one took me a very long time to finish reading because it kept on weighing heavier and heavier on my mind. It made me think about how the body sometimes fails the spirit, how the unknown future can cripple a person, and what would I do in the same situation. This one will stay with me for a good long time.

Losing It

2010-03-06T17:08:00.003-05:00

Sara B. started a magazine from the ground up with a friend based on the idea that people fall into two strict categories based on what they wear: DOs and DON'Ts. That was years ago and now she's starting to question her ability to distinguish between the two and has trouble trusting her own judgment about lots of things. Along comes Eva, a hipster who turns everything upside down very quickly. The writing is funny and touching many times but sometimes is way too gritty. Get through it because the ending brings in some great characters and resolutions.

Classic Crutcher

2010-03-01T10:39:00.003-05:00

Chris Crutcher does it again with Angry Management. This time he's pulled together some of the greatest characters from his previous works but changes them slightly to fit in a loosely connected ensemble. Crutcher so successfully depicts the struggles of teens and draws you into their difficult situations with his distinct humor, you'll read furiously to the end.

Takes all kinds

2010-02-08T09:35:00.004-05:00

If you are intrigued by the conversations of strangers, Overheard in New York is for you. Based on the popular blog, the book presents you with brief exchanges between people in public areas of The City. My only advice to readers is to pace yourself. Reading it all in a single sitting might make you nauseous.

For Pete's Sake

2010-02-01T11:35:00.003-05:00

I've been a fan of Pete Hautman's since I read Mr. Was. I happened upon his latest teen fiction and devoured it in almost a single session. Kelleigh is a fifteen-year-old who is just bored. She stumbles upon something that gives her a kick: stealing cars. Hautman portrays her voice and emotions so vividly you'll be pulled into the story and get your own kick out of it.

Frenemies

2010-01-27T08:48:00.004-05:00

I needed a good chick lit read, since I have been submerged in home design and improvement books lately. This one fit the bill--and it's well-written, too! It follows two young women who have been friends since college. One has become a published author, one has two small children and struggles to make money writing articles. Their relationship takes a hit when Alison has a tragic car accident while driving home intoxicated from Claire's book release party and the truth about their history begins to unravel. The characters are likable and human and the story is absolutely believable.

Growing Up Quickly

2010-01-07T09:13:00.004-05:00

Sam is fifteen and has a lot to consider. Her father is the pastor, her mother is in rehab, her faith doesn't feel so real anymore, and then one of the girls from her class goes missing. This might sound like a lot to consider in a single book, but Sara Zarr does a fantastic job of making it believable and real in Once Was Lost. I had the pleasure of meeting Zarr upon the release of Story of a Girl. Make time to read her novels this year--she's got a way with words.

Advanced Printing

2009-12-28T09:39:00.003-05:00

I wanted to learn a bit more about printing processes so I borrowed The Printmaking Bible from a nearby University library. Wowie! I was not prepared for the amount of information included in this hefty volume. It covers everything about printing materials and techniques and has lots of great photos to get your creative inks flowing. It's a great reference for serious print people.

Mod Glam

2009-12-15T07:40:00.003-05:00

Though my house will never fit the description of "modern" nor "glamorous" by any stretch, I still like to look at homes that are just that. Nobody does it with more gloss or style than Metropolitan Home. Glamour: Making it Modern is a visual feast that has many ideas that anyone could incorporate into their space. I especially like the Villinski "Beer-can Butterflies" and the Philippe Starck chandeliers.

Snuggly Graffiti

2009-12-11T17:16:00.002-05:00

Yarn Bombing is an art form that greatly appeals to me. I think there are a whole lot of sad declining cities who could benefit from a little knitted love. I might have to see if I can round up some of my fellow knit-wits to get a project going. Check out the website for more inspirations.

Design of All Things

2009-12-08T18:24:00.002-05:00

In my next life I want to be a designer. I can't imagine what it's like to be able to have a great idea, modify it to make it better, fabricate it, and have other people love it and have to have it. I'm drawn to things that are clean and modern-looking even though I don't think I'd want to own them or live with them. 21st Century Design displays cutting-edge items from furniture to clothing, products to architecture. I don't have to spend any money to spend time with the lovely things--it's a great compromise!

Snooping

2009-12-07T17:51:00.004-05:00

I like letters. I like to receive them, to send them (though I rarely do), and to read them. I confess that they don't necessarily have to be addressed to me--I'm not picky. Imagine my delight to see Other People's Love Letters. Bill Shapiro put together 150 love letters that range in emotion from elation to misery. You'll be able to relate to many of these, whether you want to admit it or not. This one is short and sweet: "I love you like a fat kid loves cake."

Sketchy

2009-12-04T16:58:00.004-05:00

I just found a tiny new book that allows us to glimpse into the artistry behind the fashionable shoes made famous by Sex in the City. Manolo Blahnik Drawings is full of sketches from the seventies to the present day that stand as works of art by themselves. Fluid and full of color, they look good enough to wear!

So many books

2009-11-21T18:42:00.005-05:00

After tagging 1900 books today (a personal best), I went out to the stacks to look at books for information. I was interested in learning more about Richard Avedon in anticipation of seeing the DIA exhibit. I was drawn to this gorgeous book with a unique binding: PerForMancE. The cover wraps around it and delicately hugs the oversize pages that are filled with Avedon's black and white photos of artists. Makes me look forward to the exhibit even more.

Serving the People

2009-10-26T18:52:00.000-04:00

I have worn a waitress uniform two different times in my life. I know what it takes to be great at that job. It's innate and I do not have it. The women of Counter Culture do. I tried to spot the similarities between the workers but they are simply too unique. I love the entry on Sharon at the Pancake House in New Orleans with a serving tray as big as a VW. Now she's got mad skills!

Haunting

2009-10-24T19:41:00.002-04:00

Ever since I saw the "Most Haunted" episode in Waverly Hill, I've been intrigued by defunct institutions. Christopher Payne documents the decay of seventy mental institutions across the United States. The buildings exteriors are very dignified, hiding the sadness the halls retain. The empty beds and chairs, the fully-stocked pantries, and the remaining personal effects make it seem as if patients have stepped out for a moment and will be right back. [Plus, there's a double-page spread of the copper urns featured in Library of Dust.]

Hitchcockian

2009-10-22T19:14:00.003-04:00

I remember visiting my cousins as a child and being so jealous that their silhouettes were framed on the walls. How cool! I didn't have any idea how somebody could do that--they were so detailed and real. Now that I've seen the marvelous entries in Emma Rutherford's oversized book, I know they were not quite as intricate as they could have been. No profile will ever be as recognizable as Alfred's or Teddy Roosevelt's but the artistry lives on.

Click

2009-10-20T22:21:00.004-04:00

I'm sure the people who were fascinated by cameras obscura never could have imagined all the digital images that get taken every moment of every day. Camera covers photography back to its very beginning, including examples of every type of mechanism possible. Take, for example, Thompson's Revolver Camera from 1862. It's a handheld unit that has a handle like a gun and produces four 1-inch images on a single plate. The Gem Apparatus from 1880 was able to produce twelve identical small images with a single exposure and sold for just 5 pounds!

Lovely Ladies

2009-10-14T22:06:00.000-04:00

If you're a Michigan native, you know all about the importance of the auto industry to our history (current events notwithstanding). Sirens of Chrome compiles all kinds of great photos from the archives of the Detroit Public Library, GM, and various trade organizations to highlight the women who helped make the cars so appealing. I especially love the entry on page 59: The Ford Super Deluxe has one of the first vanity plates: FM 19 42 (Ford Motor Company, model year).

Crazy Beautiful

2009-10-13T18:37:00.003-04:00

This gorgeously giant book's cover grabs you and demands attention. David Maisel photographed almost 110 canisters. Some are copper in color, some have green, gold, white, red, or orange, depending on their stage of decay. Each holds the human remains of a former patient of the Oregon State Hospital. This Library of Dust vaguely reflects the spectrum of asylum patients who are gone but not forgotten.

Skulls for Sale

2009-10-06T20:48:00.003-04:00

I love all things forensic. Those reality shows, the Baden books, it's all good. I was absolutely floored to see this title. Cranioklepty. The word says it all and gives entirely new meaning to the idea of wanting to own a piece of history.

Anti-Style

2009-09-27T23:53:00.000-04:00

I think we are all drawn to those people who don't play by the rules. Perhaps we wish we could be so free from social constraints, to be as unique as we feel. The photos in Rebel Rebel are remarkable: some are shocking, some are inspiring. But the more I look at them the more I realize that there really isn't any originality left. Even the most extreme individuals are strikingly similar to others after all.

Misery Loves Calories

2009-09-23T19:17:00.001-04:00

Eat Your Feelings: Recipes for Self-Loathing made me laugh and wince all at once. Some of the dishes sound downright delicious, such as the Manic-Depressive Brownies, Two Ways! Others give me pause, like the Worst Date Ever Nutty Cheese Ball. The tongue-in-cheek approach reminds me of Amy Sedaris' I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence.

Clutter Be Gone

2009-09-16T22:16:00.002-04:00

It's a lofty goal, to have a tidy closet that functions well. I'm inspired by the many photographs in Room by Room: Storage Solutions. If only implementation was as easy as turning the pages...

Fashionably Photographed

2009-09-11T12:29:00.001-04:00

Scott Schuman has the eye for style. His blog has been on my Favorites list for a good long time. I'm elated that now I am able to savor his glorious photos in bed, because the book version of The Sartorialist has just been published. It makes me long for a better closet inventory but thankful that I don't live in an especially fashionable town.