« January 2012 | Main | March 2012 »
Ta-da! Our Facebook clue had some of you on the right track, but I bet you didn't think it would lead to this magical piece of art. It appeared this afternoon (a gift for Virginia), and I am equal parts horrified and in love. Such craftsmanship! Such color choice! Such shiny, waxy features. Between our holiday hat and our silver shaker (not to mention that lovely lady in the background), our offices are starting to look like this gentleman's home. Makes coming to work way more fun!
- Annie
|
|
I lived in London for a few months after college, and since then it has always held a nostalgic place in my heart. Now Craig Taylor's new book, Londoners, allows me to revisit my younger days when I spent hours walking the streets of every neighborhood in Zone 1, touring the countless free museums and saving my pounds for West End performances (Man, was I ever a 22 year old stereotype, but it was magical!). An acclaimed journalist, Taylor has spent years traversing every corner of the city, getting the most interesting Londoners to talk about their lives and their city with candor and humor. The result is a vibrant, narrative portrait of London rich and poor, old and young, native and immigrant, male and female.
Perhaps Sarah Lyall at the New York Times also has great memories of this wonderful city because her NYT Book Review (March 4) is chock-a-block full of praise:
“[A] rich and exuberant kaleidoscopic portrait of a great, messy, noisy, daunting, inspiring, maddening, enthralling, constantly shifting Rorschach test of a place…though countless excellent books have been written on the city, this is the one that best captures what it’s like to live in London right now, through the words of the people themselves–just as Studs Terkel did for Chicago in his oral histories years ago…the material [Taylor] elicits proves his skill not only in asking questions that find the eloquence even in the naturally taciturn, but also in knowing the value of keeping offstage. Londoners is a master class in self-effacing journalism. In an age of celebrity interviews and bombastic, self-loving television hosts, Taylor is the rare specimen who appears genuinely to believe that other people’s words are more interesting than his own…Oral histories are only as good as the people in them, and this is as good an array as you could hope for… In Taylor’s patient and sympathetic hands, regular people become poets, philosophers, orators.”
***
Be sure to read the whole review and pick up the book if you can....Also, while we are sharing, do you have any London stories? I want to hear!
- Annie
|
|
Deborah Crombie was a hit at ALA Midwinter, speaking at the Mystery Authors Pop Top Stage and signing heaps of copies of her new book, No Mark Upon Her. She has continued to be a hit on an even larger stage - the New York Times bestselling list! Deborah's book came in at #12 - congratulations!
The Miami Herald had some lovely things to say:
“No Mark Upon Her is again deserving of fans’ devotion due largely to [Crombie's] intelligent, subtle wit and above all, her meticulous attention to detail.”
And the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal thinks "her writing is sophisticated and her suspense taut.”
Want to check out No Mark Upon Her for yourself? First 10 commenters to tell me which of Deborah's book they like best (and there are several to choose from!) and WHY, get a copy.
And don't miss this video of Deborah Crombie and “Leander the Hippo” on KTUL/Good Day Tulsa:
- Annie
|
|
And it comes in the form of Peter Robinson's latest, Before the Poison:
“With this stand-alone novel, Mr. Robinson—best-known for his award-winning Inspector Banks mystery series—has fashioned a gripping tale that brings to mind not only old-time Hollywood but also British "golden age" storytelling in the Agatha Christie and Daphne du Maurier tradition.”
***
FULL REVIEW: Old movies loom large on the mental landscape of Chris Lowndes, the chief narrator of Peter Robinson's ambitiously structured and captivating "Before the Poison" (Morrow, 358 pages, $25.99). British-born Lowndes lives in Los Angeles and composes film scores in the manner of such moody 1940s and '50s maestros as Bernard Herrmann and Franz Waxman, at least when his Hollywood bosses let him. But then, after the death of his wife, he moves back to England. He buys an old estate in a remote reach of Yorkshire and soon falls under the spell of the house's history. In short, he begins living a story redolent of the old movies he loves—romantic and suspenseful classics like "Vertigo," "Rebecca" and, yes, "Laura."
Entranced by a portrait of Grace Fox, the house's mistress from 60 years ago, Lowndes learns that this beautiful woman was hanged for the poisoning murder of her husband, a doctor. She is said to have killed him because he had discovered her affair with a young artist.
Lowndes, out of a compulsion he can't quite comprehend, begins exploring the dead woman's story. He interviews elderly locals and pores over old documents with the resourcefulness of a private detective. "You're certainly going to some lengths in this business," a potential new girlfriend, already jealous, observes. "Have you fallen in love with a ghost?"
***
- Annie
|
|
Remember back in the day when you had Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays off? Then at some point they performed a magic trick and presto-chango, they were lumped together into Presidents Day so slackers (ahem) could only be lazy one day in February. Well your friendly and super smart neighborhood historian, Mr. Kenneth C. Davis, has something to say about that:
"Really it is George Washington’s Birthday –federally speaking that is. The official designation of the federal holiday observed on the third Monday of February was, and still is, Washington’s Birthday."
So there you have it. You can find out lots more information on Presidents Day over on Ken's site including some cool trivia questions, e.g.
And most importantly, do not miss this video of Ken rocking a GW wig - awesome!
- Annie
|
|
AMPU-TEDDY!
Scaring kids and tasting delicious since 2012. You should get one of your own...Truth!
Happy Weekend!
- Annie
|
|
Foodies might've heard that the IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) announced their 2012 award finalists this week. We are tickled pink to have made the list in a few different categories, including:
Cookbooks, American
· American Flavor, Author: Andrew Carmellini; Editor: Libby Edelson; Publisher: Ecco/Harper Collins
International
· The Food of Spain, Author: Claudia Roden; Editor: Libby Edelson; Publisher: HarperCollins/Ecco
Literary Food Writing
· Season to Taste, Author: Molly Birnbaum; Editor: Matt Weiland; Publishers: HarperCollins/Ecco
Congratulations to the nominees (the full list can be found here). And now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some eating to do!
-Kayleigh
|
|
If you're one of the many people who watched this week's episode of Downton Abbey, you might find yourself suddenly curious about--spoiler alert--Spanish Influenza. I did some googling this morning, and apparently in 1918, 20somethings were in trouble:
"Not only was the Spanish Flu (as it came to be known) strikingly virulent, but it displayed an unusual preference in its choice of victims---tending to select young healthy adults over those with weakened immune systems, as in the very young, the very old, and the infirm. The normal age distribution for flu mortality was completely reversed, and had the effect of gouging from society's infrastructure the bulk of those responsible for its day to day maintenance. No wonder people thought the social order was breaking down. It very nearly did."
Seriously, though, if you haven't seen the episode yet, don't read this blog post, which questions the accuracy of Downton's experience with the epidemic. Instead, I recommend taking some precautionary vitamin C and getting started on the Bess Crawford series by Charles Todd (a mother and son writing team who have garnered fans, and accolades, the world over). The latest book in the series, An Unmarked Grave, has our intrepid battlefield nurse/sleuth taking on Spanish Influenza and a soldier's mysterious murder. Fans of Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series and Agatha Christie devotees will especially enjoy Charles Todd. But don't just take my word for it--if you're going to PLA next month, meet Caroline Todd (one half of the duo) and see for yourself. Caroline will be participating in the AAP's Mystery Solved Panel and afterwards, signing at the HarperCollins booth (#523). Not going to Philly? You can catch her on the Mystery PopTop Stage at ALA this summer.
So many mysteries, so little time! You might just want to call in sick for this series.
-Kayleigh
|
|
The Song of Achilles is another debut novel that had us all at hello. Building on the groundwork of The Iliad, Madeline Miller’s page-turning, profoundly moving and blisteringly paced retelling of the epic Trojan War engages the reader immediately; the New York TImes said it "is drenched with longing not seen since “Brokeback Mountain,” Yowza! Miller has a BA and MA in Latin and Ancient Greek (she's actually read The Illiad in ancient Greek - yeah, me too), and studied at the Yale School of Drama, specializing in adapting classical tales to a modern audience, so she knows exactly how to weave a compelling tale.
She also happens to be on the of the loveliest people this side of the River Styx.
School Library Journal sat down with Madeline to find out what inspired her and how she formed her beautiful story:
When did you first hear the Iliad?
My mother began reading the Iliad and Greek myths to me when I was a child, and from the first, I was completely hooked. Even despite the gods and monsters, the stories felt intensely real to me. The heroes themselves weren't like the heroes in other books—they were angry, grief-stricken, passionate, and full of faults. I felt like I was being given a scandalous peek at the adult world. And, of course, I loved the thrilling adventures.
I was lucky to have a really terrific Latin teacher in high school, who not only encouraged my interest in Latin, but also offered courses in extra-curricular Greek. I jumped at the chance. I was so excited to be able to read these works in their original language. It was no longer just about the stories themselves—which were still amazing—but also about the incredible poetry. Reading Vergil's Aeneid and Homer's Iliad together was a literary revelation. Both men are master craftsmen of the highest order.
For the rest of the interview, check out the SLJ site.
- Annie
|
|
Jacqueline Winspear is bringing us another stellar Maisie Dobbs mystery; Elegy for Eddie, goes on sale March 27 and we are celebrating with some excellent Twitter conversations for the entire month leading up to it. Simply mark your calendars, follow #maisie and start chatting with:
For more details visit:
www.facebook.com/jacquelinewinspear
www.maisiedobbs.com
- Annie
|
|
