RiverRead Books

A thoughtful meditation on becoming a parent for the first time, during the age of terror. The author was present as some of the victims of Abu Garib were interviewed about their detention, and reveals some of his own tumultuous past. There is much to admire about his journey of self discovery. I should mention the author is also an award winning poet and the writing is beautiful. I loved this book.

This is a book that unapologetically holds a mirror up to where this country’s political direction of the last twenty or so years has taken us. A great read, important, but heartbreaking. Pat

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don’t. This book is perfect – so perfect it sells thousands of copies every month around in the world. (It has been out since February 09 and continues to be in the top 4 on the NY Times Bestseller list! Let it touch your heart and soul … you will never be the same. (And for a real treat, order the audio version from us – probably the best audio book I’ve EVER listened to …) Connie

You're going the hear a lot of buzz in the media about this book. I read it last week, couldn't put it down. It's mad good.

Pat

I really appreciated reading a book like this, even though my own kids are grown. I share with the author a personal parenting philosophy that kids are safer if they engage with other people, have the ability to negotiate their environment and have less fear. After all, if the world really is such a dreadful place, why even have kids? It's a serious topic, and the author includes important research throughout the book, supporting her argument. However, that doesn't stop her from including many humorous side comments and anecdotes to win readers over to her point of view.

Fans of Michael Chabon's excellent fiction will not be disappointed by his musings in this memoir. They demonstrate that he is "real people" and easy to connect to. Pat

Cranky farmers, marijuana blackmarketeers, an autistic savant border agent, the "post 9/11 world", this novel has it all. I loved it. Pat

I truly loved this beautifully written and thought-provoking story with absolutely wonderful characters; and the backdrop of the time period in our history is so relevant. It takes place in 1940-1941 before the U.S. entered W.W.II and while war is raging in Europe. Postmistress Iris James is such an admirable and strong character, as is Frankie Bard, a reporter working for CBS during the bombings in London. Edward R. Morrow is her boss. I loved that! When will the U.S. enter the war? Will it be too late? This is a must read and one of my favorites since, yes, The Help. I could say so much more, but I don't want to give anything away. Please, just read it! Connie

One unforgettable character after another spin off of each other in this magnificent novel set in 1970's New York City, it's days of burning. The day Philip Petit walks a tightrope between The World Trade Towers is the pivotal day their random lives intersect, in tragedy and grace. The book opens with a quote from Aleksander Hermon's The Lazarus Project. 'All the lives we could live, all the people we will never know, never will be, they are everyone. That is what the world is.' It doesn't get more perfect than this! Read this book! Pat

Pardon the pun, but I believe this book was a total sleeper. I don't remember much buzz about it when it was released in 2008, but it was one of the most pleasurable books I've read this year. This story of 4 friends with young children, who've taken time out from their careers is a wry exploration of the fears and resignation and daze middle class and upper-middle class women walk around with all the time. The nap is actually this tunnel you wander into when you become a mother and all you need or can give is love and attention to mundane, minute detail. Sharply observations and plenty of laugh out load episodes make this a great read.

A clever and original love story giving the reader snapshots of the two characters on the same day each year as the arc of their relationship bends away and toward each other over a 20 year period. Nicholls is able to develop surprising depth in his characters, even though we only see a snippet of their lives at a time. His writing is witty, funny, real, and at times, heartbreaking.

Though the premise for this novel sounds like a cheesy soap opera device, "man thinking his wife is dead, remarries only to have wife # 1 turn up on his doorstep 6 years later", it is anything but. Wive's of Henry Oades is a beautifully written historical novel, based on a true story of people trying to do right in an impossible situation while being persecuted by the intolerance of those around them. It's a great read.
Pat

I’ve read in interviews with the author of Where You’ll Reach me that the inspiration for her book was Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. I felt as though I was time traveling while reading this book as the details of daily life as a pre teen were that authentic. More importantly, the book is a primer for how we treat one another, disguised as a compelling mystery, it is never preachy. Fantastic and intelligent. Pat