Be a Bookie: Read

Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian by Avi Steinberg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In retrospect, it’s perhaps not so strange that a book by a prison librarian contains violence, references to drugs and sex, and lots of bad language. Never fear, there’s good language, too—enough so I liked the book in spite of myself.

Avi Steinberg: young (20-30 something), privileged in spite of his outsider status as a Hasidic Jew; intellectual Harvard graduate; freelance obituary writer for the Boston Globe. He applies for the job of prison librarian, already wise to the desirability of a steady government job with benefits. He gets it, and sticks it out for two years. This is, of course, a dream scenario for any would-be writer. Danger in the dirty underbelly of society, almost as much street cred as going to war: one can feel this type of distance and excitement as Avi starts his story and his job. Avi is a sensitive guy, though, and he cares. Avi’s heart is the thing that gets him accepted into this prison culture of sheriff vs. prisoner, staff vs. inmate, poverty vs. privilege; it’s the thing that will ensure his eventual departure, as well.

It’s not only about the volumes on the shelves and what their authors wrote. The library is a place where love letters are left and found, literature of the desperate.
“Look for me. Love me, even if we can’t touch. I’m the third window from the top on the left.” Prison is a place of broken hearts and failed dreams and hope is precious and rare. The book is worth the read.



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My Grandmother Asked Me to tell You to Read This Book

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It was true after his first book, A Man Called Ove, that I would read everything this man ever writes. Or give it a shot, anyway. After this, I can't imagine ever not reading, not finishing. Contemporary fiction is hard for me, as dark and dreary as most of what's published is. I already know about the worst of humanity, I like reading about regular people living their values (ok, there are some vampire hunters in the mix, but you know what I mean). Every character, spot-on. Every story charming, wise, humorous as Nick Hornby, tender as McCall Smith's Botswana. Laughing and crying throughout the same book is wondrous and rare--but true to real life, whatever that may be.

Elsa is not Pippi Longstocking, but she could be. Through her eyes we see death and divorce, change and mystery, love and community. I actually have met some elderly, cranky European women, so I had a face and a feel for Elsa's grandmother from the get-go. This controlling, loving woman has left some letters for young Elsa to deliver after the funeral. Aware that her death will create cracks and faultlines in her community, Grandmother has made an opportunity for those who grieve her to patch over the faultlines and build anew.

If you like a heartwarming story and don't mind some "cussing," you have found an author to treasure and share. Go, buy, make sure he keeps getting published!



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The Goddess is Alive and Magic is Afoot

The Immortals by Jordanna Max Brodsky

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Jordanna Max Brodsky has written a smart, satisfying tale in the "old gods still survive to modern days" trope, and became my favorite debut author of 2015 (advance copy, thanks Orbit!!). Many of us have indeed worshipped Artemis, Shining One, archer and leader of the Muses, and it's usually Athena and Aphrodite getting all the attention. The Immortals satisfies as a thriller, as an urban fantasy, and as a darn good read. This means the language is engaging, the history and the magic theory hold up, and the characters are believable.
Selene DiSilva protects the innocent on the mean streets of Manhattan as she slowly fades into whatever gods become as they wane. Of course she specializes in helping abused women. But one night, she receives an infusion of strength and purpose: a believer's prayer. Unfortunately, it was a prayer made by a woman dying by violence and betrayal. On her search for the woman's killer, Selene will face both death and life returning and find love greater than she's ever known. Just the right amount of action, humor, and theoretical pontificating (yes, one of those villians!). Love the chapter titles, mostly names of the Goddess. The book highlights some of New York's famous hidden places, too.
For me, the book succeeds on all levels, and I'm so glad to look forward to another book!
(I received an ARC of the book from Orbit for review.)



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Away with the fairies...

Dear readers, Miss Em is somewhat distraught that her silence has lasted so long…it's all down to the tagline, I'm afraid. Life was better than books. Certainly more compelling. But amongst the re-reads, there were some gems. Miss Em only read the gems, and will be reporting shortly, as she draws closer to the planet. In the meantime, lots of love in the air & dancing and singing went on amidst the tears. Here's a sample playlist:

My Type-Saint Motel

Shut Up and Dance With Me- Walk the Moon

Come With Me Now-Kongas

Trust You-Rob Thomas

Chains-Nick Jonas

Love Runs Out-OneRepublic

Empire-Shakira

Believe-Mumford & Sons

Take Me to Church-Hozier

Nothing Without Love-Nate Ruess

Live Forever-Band Perry

On Top of the World-Imagine Dragons

Freedom-Pharrell

Best Day of My Life-American Authors

Bright-Echosmith

I Am- AWOL Nation

Someone New- Hozier

Hallelujah-Panic at the Disco

Heart is a Drum-Beck

And add for fun: Exes and Ohs, Water Under the Bridge, Blank Space…

The high is worth the pain, BTW. Have fun, children. Dare to love. The stranger the better… :) 

Hope springs eternal

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Be warned, this book may be too topical for some. It deals with the underpinnings of racial and sectarian violence in an Indian slum, only a step away from the Middle East. It’s written by a privileged white American attempting objectivity and tells the story of how Muslims, Hindus, and other poor folks try to survive and thrive amidst poverty most Americans can’t imagine, and therefore have a hard time believing, let alone empathizing with.

The book is an attempt to stir up that empathy, I believe. But Ms. Boo, while attempting her objectivity, leads with a manipulative cliffhanger. Some people can handle immolation in the first scene and not know the fate of the woman for a hundred pages or so; they find it does draw them into the story and keeps them reading. It makes me want to strangle the author or editor. I’m committed to reading when I read the title, subtitle, and jacket copy, unless it’s badly written. I want to know the complete story already and I do want footnotes and to know that there were years and many interviews involved upfront. After you have manipulated me on the first page, I have a hard time believing that you’re inside the head of all these folks just from the narrative. Start at the beginning!

It’s a very good look at the choices people make when their choices are limited. There is no pity here, no plea for mercy. One is left with reality, hard questions: is poverty a problem? Can people of different cultures ever really get along? Does morality have a sliding scale?




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The Music of Bhutan :: Melissa Bobbitt :: The Occurrence :: Occur

 Miss Em recommends the music of Misty Terrace. And world music, people. Get some Tuvan throat-singing, some aboriginal fancydancing, and you'll see and hear, folk music is folk music, music of the people...



Occur Goes Global - The Music of Bhutan :: Melissa Bobbitt :: The Occurrence :: Occur

Quite Tasty: More, Please

Delicious! by Ruth Reichl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


“Delicious” is food writer Ruth Reichl’s first novel, and it shows. Pros: Reichl is touching, funny, evocative, an excellent prose technician, a great writer. Cons that to some are still pros: this is a romantic fantasy of the old school. There’s an obligatory love interest, but the romance is in its original sense of: adventure, excitement, not everyday life. And the fantasy is the same: a lovely daydream. This book is an homage to New York, the story of someone who goes to New York with a hole in her heart and gains not only healing but a vibrant, whole life.

I look forward to more; Reichl’s weakness wasn’t storytelling, but character development—most are New York “types,” not individuals. The plot is an excuse to put together everything lovely and exciting about being young, talented, and in New York, the most fabulous city in the world. (In the fantasy, of course.) The protagonist, fleeing to New York after a personal tragedy, lands a dream job at a food magazine. Her daddy is paying for an apartment for a year. Only one of her co-workers is nasty. Did we need the James Beard WWII subplot? No, though it was fun. Secret rooms and codebreaking don’t compare to New Yorker pride; the feeling of being the gateway to culture, class, success; freedom, theater, markets with fresh food, flowers and fish; ethnic neighborhoods; anonymity and community side-by-side; history. New York is brought to life in Reichl’s assured, vivid prose. She made us believe the very air there smells of dreams and sparkles of stardust fall to the dirty streets and inspires those who despair.




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