Presidential Candidates 2008 as Authors: A Booklist

From ricklibrarian, a great booklist of books written by current Presidential candidates.  It’s a long list!

About Alice, by Calvin Trillin

This is a stunning tribute to his wife, Alice Stewart Trillin.   Her spirit was rich and her care for others was inspirational. Ms. Trillin’s gift to her family continues to be inspiring memories.

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

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A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens

Book on Tape version (Nine 1.5 hour cassettes, unabridged, read by Stuart Langton; also available in the Minuteman Library Network on CD)

An excellent rendition of this chilling tale of the French Revolution and the Terrors that followed.  Narrator Stuart Langton  enhances Dickens’ already dramatic scenes and rich characterizations with wit and style.  

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

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The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, by Kim Edwards

The plot begins in 1964 and follows a family for twenty five years. The father, a doctor, delivers his own twins in the middle of a snow storm. When he sees that one of them has down syndrome, he gives the baby to his nurse and tells her to take the baby to an institution.  He tells his wife that the baby was stillborn.  The nurse takes the baby and decides to care for her. The story follows both families as they deal with the consequences of this decision. There are some heart wrenching moments. This is a story of the power of redemptive love.   This title is a popular book club selection.

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

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Book Discussion Guides

New from BookLetters:

Search by title to find discussion questions and reviews–both fiction and non fiction are included.  For everything offered by BookLetters, including the complete set of BookLetters newsletters and award lists, and booklist newsletters prepared by Newton staff,  click here.

Best Books of 2006

Lists and more lists:

The Boston Globe’s Best Fiction of 2006 list

The Globe’s Best Non Fiction of 2006

NPR’s End-of-Year Book Selections

Best Books of the Year from WBUR Radio’s On Point

2006 Best Books lists from Slate

Non fiction and fiction lists from Salon.com

Non fiction and fiction & poetry lists from the Los Angeles Times

Horn Book Fanfare List of best books of 2006 for children and young adults

And a roundup of more 2006 “Bests” lists, for both adults and children, compiled by the Seldovia (AK) Public Library