This set could fetch $10 million at auction later this month. Who says it’s impossible to retire on your book collection? Click on the artwork and read more.
John James Audubon’s Birds of America
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Reading Now: Stay Awake
Reading ARC of Stay Awake by Dan Chaon. Wow, this is intense writing- not bedtime reading…the bees are coming. Release date is February 7.
2012 Preview: Great Anticipation (Part I)
What Not To Read: Anticipating (by date, not by level of anticipation)
 The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney
Release Date: January 5 Author of The Tenderness of Wolves |
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 Stay Awake by Dan Chaon
Release Date: February 7 Author of Await Your Reply and You Remind Me of Me |
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 Enchantments by Kathryn Harrison
Release Date: March 6 Author of The Kiss |
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 The Cove by Ron Rash
Release Date: April 10 Author of Serena |
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 Talking Pictures by Ransom Riggs
Release Date: April 10 Author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children |
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 Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd
Release Date: April 17 Author of Restless |
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 A Hero for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi
Release Date: May 8 Author of The Search for WondLa
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What Not To Read’s Top 10 Books of 2011
What Not To Read: TOP 10 of 2011
 1. The Illumination by Kevin Brockmeier
The Illumination is an experience, a phenomenon, a worldwide shared moment when your pain, your hurt and your sadness radiates with miraculous light for all to see. Then there’s the journal. The written love story from a husband to his wife.changes the lives of six individuals as they pass it along and experience the glowing hurt and hope that shines from it’s pages. Kevin Brockmeier is a wonderful writer and this book is illuminating. Best of the year. |
 2. What You See in the Dark by Manuel Munoz
First novel that is first-rate. Imagine the filming of the movie Psycho, complete with Mr. Hitchcock set against a grisly murder in the small town where the filming takes place– that’s What You See in the Dark. Behind the eye-catching cover is a well-written and unique story full of nuances and intrigue as a relationship goes horribly wrong. Very original and engaging. |
 3. My New American Life by Francine Prose
Lula, a young Albanian immigrant works for Mister Stanley taking care of his high school son, Zeke. Her new American life slowly shifts from carefree and hopeful to uncertain and slightly dangerous. Prose is a language magician, Lula’s voice is hilarious, introspective and sometimes fumbling. My New American Life is a perfect satire. |
 4. The Architect of Flowers by William Lychack
William Lychack is the author of one of my favorite novels; The Wasp Eater and I’ve been eagerly awaiting for something new from him. Thankfully, The Architect of Flowers doesn’t disappoint, instead it elevates his writing composition to another level. This collection of supremely well-written and contemplative short stories explores the pull and push nature of relationships and the dark and light that highlight and contort those connections. |
 5. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
Christmas time brings a film crew to Buckshaw to improve the continually worsening financial situation of the de Luces. During a blizzard, with half the town staying at the estate, a body is found strangled with a length of film. Flavia once again outwits everyone to solve this murder while also working in her laboratory, navigating new developments with her sisters and attempting to trap Santa. Delightful. |
 6. Legend by Marie Lu
There’s the Republic and the colonies, there’s June and Day and there’s dead Republic soldier. Muscular and taught, Legend tells a gripping story from two alternating viewpoints in a dystopian and uncertain future. June’s brother is dead and Day is the prime suspect, although nothing is what it seems. Best YA book of the year, as good as (maybe better) than The Hunger Games. |
 7. Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne
Another classic from the author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Noah runs away from home through a magical forest and meets an unusual toy maker. The elderly toy maker crafts a story that poignantly lifts the shrouded curtain and slowly reveals Noah’s reasons for leaving home. Not thinking about things doesn’t make them go away, but facing the inevitable with grace and courage can help. Have a tissue (or two) ready. |
 8. The Great Night by Chris Adrian
A modern take on A Midsummer’s Night Dream complete with heartbroken humans and magical creatures. The story starts in Buena Vista park in San Francisco and Molly, Harry and Will can only acquiesce to the magic about to envelop them. Dark, dense and delightful. The Great Night is like a tantalizing slice of Valrhona chocolate torte, once you’re done, the smile of satisfaction will be evident to everyone who looks at you. |
 9. Zone One by Colson Whitehead
Are you surprised at this? Probably. Was I? Yes, a little. Zone One is a literary take on the sub-par zombie genre. It’s smart, introspective and psychologically disturbing. A pandemic has created the living and the living dead and Mark Spitz is on a recovery team to clear out Manhattan’s remaining zombie population. Most of the story takes place in Mark’s head as he struggles to come to terms with the present reality and contemplates the future. Cerebral. |
 10. Miss Peregrin’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Without giving away too much, let me sum up this book with one word: creepy. Creepy story, creepy pictures and creepy characters. The result: it’s magical and haunting. You should really read this, but not after dark. Looks like there is a forthcoming sequel as well. |
Honorable Mentions:
We the Animals by Justin Torres
To Be Sung Underwater Tom McNeal
Centuries of June by Keith Donohue
The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
The Stranger’s Child by Alan Hollinghurst
The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: Chris Van Allsburg
My favorite children’s author/illustrator (and a Caldecott favorite too), Chris Van Allsburg will be in Seattle tomorrow reading from his new collection, The Chronicles of Harris Burdick (and I have a golden ticket). The original book, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is a collection that was published in 1984 and features fourteen black and white drawings with a title and caption. The illustrations are pure magically mysterious and are the spring board for generations of creating the story behind the drawing. In The Chronicles of Harris Burdick (27 years later), fourteen authors share their story of each drawing- including Mr. Van Allsburg. Every home library should have both copies. Perfect holiday or birthday or just because gift. Chris is also the author of The Polar Express, Jumanji and The Gardens of Abdul Gasazi among many others- The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is my favorite.
Here’s the original
Julian Barnes wins the Man Booker Award
What Not To Read: October 2011
WHAT TO READ
It’s been a slow reading month for me. The reason? Probably no good one other than my usual commitments. Work, gym, baking (gym and baking always go together). I’ve tried to read only things that I was sure I would love (or intensely like), so presented this month are only What to Read picks. October shouldn’t be wasted on things you shouldn’t read. As far as a November preview, watch for the new Flavia de Luce mystery on November 1.
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5. The Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaajte An 11 year old boy travels aboard the Oronsay from Sri Lanka to London over the course of three weeks. During the journey a few young passengers begin to dine together and develop an unlikely connection during the voyage. Ondaajte has said the story line is simply ” A boy gets on a boat and gets off a boat. It’s the what happens while on the boat that is a deft examination of human nature.
