Readers' Services
The Readers’ Services staff can help you find specific materials and can offer reading suggestions. Please phone (847) 448-8620 for assistance. Use Novelist, to find reviews, reading guides, and reading lists for fiction lovers.
Cocaine Blues
Cocaine Blues. 1989. (CD Mystery Green.K)
Australian author Kerry Greenwood introduces her glamorous 1920s
female sleuth Phyrne Fisher in her debut novel Cocaine Blues. Wealthy enough
not to work at all, and contemplating either learning Abyssinian or breeding
horses, Phryne decides that being a “perfect Lady Detective in Melbourne” will
be an amusing diversion from a possible dull life in London. In this story, she becomes involved in both the cocaine trade and
"back-alley" abortions and surrounds herself with the memorable Dot, Bert, Cec, and Inspector Robinson. Descriptions of Phryne’s fabulous
wardrobe, commentary about the social issues of the day, characters who are
three-dimensional, and a satisfying conclusion will make you want to read (or
listen to) more in this delightful series. Also available as Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries on DVD. (Laura, Reader's Services)
The Dinner
Koch, Herman. The Dinner. 2012 (Fiction Koch.H)
Two brothers and their wives meet for dinner at an upscale restaurant to discuss an incident involving their two teenage sons. Serge is the front-running candidate for Prime Minister and quite the celebrity. Paul is our narrator. He's very critical of the pretentious eatery and his brother's airs. Everything we see is through Paul's eyes and is colored by his innermost thoughts, some quite unsettling, as the novel follows the dinner course by course. Koch has written a taut, character-driven tale with elegantly choreographed scenes full of small but potent details. He poses the questions of how protective a parent should be and how denial and ethical relativism are just a few nuanced steps away from total moral degradation. A great pick for book clubs--the discussion will be lively.
(Barbara L., Reader's Services)
Chicken with Plums
Chicken with Plums. 2011. (DVD 791.4372 Chicken)
Iranian author/artist Marjane Satrapi has been in the news lately with the Chicago Public School controversy over her graphic novel Persepolis. Her 2007 film adaptation was nominated for an Academy Award. In the film adaptation of her 2006 novel Chicken with Plums, she works with live action instead of animation, adding an element of magic realism to the story. Beginning in Tehran in the late 1950s the film goes from past to present narrating the journey of violinist Nasser-Ali Khan whose broken heart leads to his decision to end his life. We learn the reasons behind his despair in a series of eight dream-like vignettes, all coming together in a beautifully realized tableau. An original, creative, and painterly film about love and loss that will remain with you. In French with English subtitles.
(Laura, Reader's Services)
Not the End of the World
Atkinson, Kate. Not the End of the World: Stories. 2002. (Fiction Atkin.K)
With this collection of short stories Atkinson demonstrates her skill and agility in creating tales that border on or are firmly embedded in the fantastic (immortality, doppelgängers, dystopic futures) yet deal with the very real human concerns of love, loneliness, the need for change, and the thrill of taking risks. Atkinson displays sympathy for her characters. Her use of pathos is not mocking, yet she tinges her work with humor and some pointed social commentary. My favorite tale is about a burnt-out media critic who realizes that he has a doppelgänger who is having a much more enjoyable life than he is. The collection is bracketed by a sad, beautiful story of how two dear friends share the dwindling resources of a world about to end.
Barbara L., Reader's Services
Call the Midwife
Worth, Jennifer. Call the Midwife. 2002. (618.2 Worth.J)
Fascinating, revolting, funny, horrifying, these tales of midwives in the slums of London’s Docklands during the 1950's and 1960's are at once repellent and rewarding. The conditions under which these compassionate and dedicated women worked and under which these slum dwellers lived are unbelievable to those of us fortunate enough to live in clean and comfortable conditions. Moments of love and joy are present but rare, though there is a lot of good humor amongst the young midwives and the nuns who are their mentors. This memoir is the basis for the PBS series of the same name.
(Nancy E., North Branch)
Read more...
Page 2 of 115
