Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

Bryson takes us back to the 1950’s and 1960’s growing up in Des Moines.   It’s not the funniest Bryson, but the stories of coming of age and all the rascals involved are heartwarming.    His family and community were loving and forgiving.   Bittersweet reminiscenses of the mid-west culture involving what was and what will never be anymore are included.

RATING: * * * A good read
Reviewed by: Nancy

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What’s Liberal about the Liberal Arts? Classroom Politics and “Bias” in Higher Education, by Michael Berube

This insightful and often humorous look into the way a professor of English conducts classes is both a critically well-argued defense of the “liberal arts” in education, and a welcome rebuttal of conservative activists’ stated opinions on race, class and gender in our society.  As he engagingly and clearly explains the underlying concepts of “postmodern” America to us, Berube also resurrects the ideals of “liberalism” from the reactionary rhetoric of the current “conservative” lexicon of dirty words.

RATING: * * * * Very, very good

Reviewed by: Laurie

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The Dead Beat by Marilyn Johnson

This is a book about different styles of obituaries and the journalists who write them.   An unusual topic, for certain.  You learn about the challenges facing journalists who are determined to “get the story right” paying tribute to people in all walks of life.

RATING: * * * A good read

Reviewed by: Nancy

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Bold spirit: Helga Estby’s forgotten walk across Victorian America, by Linda Hunt

Helga and her daughter walked from the west coast to New York City to win prize money in a contest in order to save the family farm. Helga’s courage and resourcefulness and the description of U.S. culture and landscape in the late 1800s is fascinating.  This is a glimpse  women’s lives in that period.

RATING: * * * * Very, very good
Reviewed by: sg

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Embers, by Sandor Marai

This is a little jewel of a book. Two men who were close friends but haven’t seen each other for decades meet and go over the circumstances of their friendship, betrayal, career, exile.  Beautiful writing.

RATING: * * * * Very, very good
Reviewed by: sg

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The Secret History, by Donna Tartt

A New England college campus is the home of quirky students who form a tight clique.  Murder, alchohol, drugs, and Latin declensions are the mix.  A novel by a master of odd characters.

RATING: * * * * Very, very good
Reviewed by: sg

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The Pilot’s Wife, by Anita Shreve

A woman, whose husband has just died, only then begins to discover who he really was. It’s a mourning spent investigating a husband’s other life.

RATING: * * * A good read
Reviewed by: sg

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The Little Friend, by Donna Tartt

A preadolescent girl investigates a possible murder in her southern town. There are very odd characters and suspense throughout. The lazy southern heat is palpable. A long and satisfying read.

RATING: * * * * Very, very good
Reviewed by: sg

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Five Quarters of the Orange, by Joanne Harris

An elderly woman returns to the French town where she grew up during WWII to perhaps settle a score.  She sets up a small successful restaurant and reminisces about the war years when she and her mother, brother, sister,  German occupants and townspeople interact. It’s a tale of food, a disfunctional family and coming of age.

RATING: * * * * Very, very good
Reviewed by: sg

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Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See

Set in a remote part of China in the 19th century, this is a story of two life long friends, Lily and Snow Flower. The story potrays the role of women in rural China with historical accuracy. The description of the foot binding process is heartbreaking and gruesome. The story focuses on these two friends and their triumphs and tragedies. This is a lovely, heartwarming story of two memorable characters.

RATING: * * * * * One of the best books I’ve read
Reviewed by: KLM

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