Book Awards and Controversy
Posted: April 19, 2012 Filed under: Book Awards, Booklists 1 Comment »Pulitzer Prizes were awarded this week, but no award was given for fiction, for the first time since 1977. No explanation was offered beyond the statement, “The three books were fully considered, but in the end, none mustered the mandatory majority for granting a prize, so no prize was awarded.”
The lack of award has generated a lot of controversy, especially as many people will assume the Pulitzer board decided that none of the books deserved the prize, rather than that they were deadlocked. A three member jury, headed this year by Susan Larson, read 300 novels and presented the board with three finalists. On National Public Radio, Susan said “We were all shocked. We were angry, and we were very disappointed. This is a lot of work.” She also stated that “I think we all would have been happy if any one of these books had been selected.”
Read one or more of the finalists, and decide for yourself if the judges were stumped or disappointed. The three finalists are:
Pale King, by David Foster Wallace
Swamplandia!, by Karen Russell
Train Dreams, by Denis Johnson
The 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction was awarded to: A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan.
Other 2012 Pulitzer Awards:
History - Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention, by Manning Marable
Biography - George F. Kennan: An American Life, by John Lewis Gaddis
Poetry - Life on Mars, by Tracy K. Smith
General Nonfiction - The Swerve: How the World Became Modern, by Stephen Greenblatt
In other award news, finalists for two other prizes have been announced. The Orange Prize, which started in 1996, is dedicated to excellence in fiction written in English by women. The 2011 Orange prize was awarded to
The Tiger’s Wife, by Tea Obrecht.
The 2012 Orange Prize short list is:
Half Blood Blues, by Esi Edugyan.
The Forgotten Waltz, by Anne Enright.
Painter of Silence, by Georgina Harding. This book will be published in the United States in September, 2012.
The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller.
Foreign Bodies, by Cynthia Ozick.
State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett.
Nominees for the Hugo awards for excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy are:
Best Novel
Among Others by Jo Walton
A Dance With Dragons by George R. R. Martin
Deadline by Mira Grant
Embassytown by China Miéville
Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
Best Novella
“Countdown” by Mira Grant (Orbit)
“The Ice Owl” by Carolyn Ives Gilman (The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction November/December 2011)
“Kiss Me Twice” by Mary Robinette Kowal (Asimov’s June 2011)
“The Man Who Bridged the Mist” by Kij Johnson (Asimov’s September/October 2011)
“The Man Who Ended History: A Documentary” by Ken Liu (Panverse 3)
“Silently and Very Fast” by Catherynne M. Valente (WSFA)
Best Novelette
“The Copenhagen Interpretation” by Paul Cornell (Asimov’s July 2011)
“Fields of Gold” by Rachel Swirsky (Eclipse Four)
“Ray of Light” by Brad R. Torgersen (Analog December 2011)
“Six Months, Three Days” by Charlie Jane Anders (Tor.com)
“What We Found” by Geoff Ryman (The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction March/April 2011)
Best Short Story
“The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees” by E. Lily Yu (Clarkesworld April 2011)
“The Homecoming” by Mike Resnick (Asimov’s April/May 2011)
“Movement” by Nancy Fulda (Asimov’s March 2011)
“The Paper Menagerie” by Ken Liu (The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction March/April 2011)
“Shadow War of the Night Dragons: Book One: The Dead City: Prologue” by John Scalzi (Tor.com)
Brenda
Books We’ve Enjoyed Reading This Year
Posted: March 12, 2012 Filed under: Booklists Leave a comment »In addition to the books we’ve written about on Book Talk, these are some of the books we’ve enjoyed reading this year.
Alien Proliferation, by Gini Koch Denise
The Alloy of Law, by Brandon Sanderson. Brenda
The Beautiful Blue Death, by Charles Finch. Kay
Behemoth, by Scott Westerfeld (audio). Brenda
Behind the Scenes at the Museum, by Kate Atkinson. Pam
Believing the Lie, by Elizabeth George. Pam
Bruno: Chief of Police, by Martin Walker. Brenda
Crossed, by Ally Conde. Brenda
Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese. Beth
Doc, by Mary Doria Russell. Pam
Hark, A Vagrant, by Kate Beaton (web comic collection) Denise
Several books by Karen White, especially The House on Tradd Street. Kay
Hyperion series, by Dan Simmons. Pam
Joan of Arc: A Life, by Mary Gordon. Ruta
Julia’s Child, by Sarah Pinneo. Kay
Ship Breaker, by Paolo Bacigalupi. Beth
Switchblade Goddess, by Lucy A Snyder. Denise
Throne of the Crescent Moon, by Saladin Ahmed. Chris
I have read several of Julie Hyzy’s books recently. I especially enjoyed the White House Chef Mystery series. Kay
Work Song, by Ivan Doig. Pam
www:Wake and www:Wonder, by Robert J. Sawyer. Pam
What We’re Reading Next
Posted: March 6, 2012 Filed under: Booklists Leave a comment »Among Others, by Jo Walton. Brenda
I have been reading the Charles Todd mystery series featuring Ian Rutledge. I am a few books behind and want to catch up. Kay
Context, by Cory Doctorow. Denise
Dust of the Damned, by Peter Brandvold. Denise
Elegy for Eddie (a Maisie Dobbs mystery), by Jacqueline Winspear. Pam
Emperor of Lies, by Steve Sem-Sandberg. Joel
Firebird, by Jack McDevitt. Brenda
Restless in the Grave, by Dana Stabenow. Brenda
The Glassblower of Murano, by Marina Fiorato. Brenda
A Little Night Magic, by Lucy March. Brenda
The Odds, by Stewart O’Nan. Pam
The Street Sweeper, by Elliot Perlman. Joel
Wolf Gift, by Anne Rice. Denise
What books are on your “to be read” list?
What We’re Reading Now
Posted: March 2, 2012 Filed under: Booklists Leave a comment »This post is a snapshot of what we’re reading at the moment. We’re always happy to suggest books that you might enjoy, but many people like to know what we’re reading. Future posts will include a list of books on our personal “Books to Read” list, and books we’ve enjoyed reading this year. Brenda
All about Emily, by Connie Willis. Brenda
Burned, by J. F. Lewis. Denise
Death at Rottingdean: A Victorian Mystery, by Robin Paige. Brenda
I’m listening to Ghost Story, by Jim Butcher. Brenda
Gone, by Michael Grant. Beth
Grace Interrupted, by Julie Hyzy. Kay
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. I saw and liked the movie and wanted to compare it to the book. Joel
Test of Wills (1st Ian Rutledge mystery), by Charles Todd. Pam
I’m listening to The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag (2nd Flavia de Luce mystery) by Alan Bradley. Pam
World War Z, by Max Brooks. Beth
A Year in the Village of Eternity, by Tracey Lawson. Brenda
Favorite Book Discussion Titles
Posted: January 11, 2012 Filed under: Book Discussions, Booklists Leave a comment »Book Discussion Favorites, 2007 – 2011
Here are a list of some of the titles the library’s morning and evening book discussion groups have really enjoyed reading and discussing. I hope you enjoy some of them, too. Brenda
Book Discussion Favorites, 2007-2011
Fiction
Coomer, Joe. Pocketful of Names.
Doig, Ivan. The Whistling Season.
Donnelly, Jennifer. A Northern Light.
Follett, Ken. Pillars of the Earth.
Ford, Jamie. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
King, Laurie. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice.
Kingsolver, Barbara. Prodigal Summer.
Larsson, Stieg. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Moon, Elizabeth. The Speed of Dark.
O’Nan, Stewart. Last Night at the Lobster.
Parkin, Gaile. Baking Cakes in Kigali.
See, Lisa. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
Shaffer, Mary Ann and Annie Barrows. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Simonson, Helen. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.
Stockett, Kathryn. The Help.
Tsukiyama, Gail. Women of the Silk.
Vreeland, Susan. Clara and Mr. Tiffany; Luncheon of the Boating Party.
Walls, Jeannette. Half Broke Horses.
Non-Fiction
Algeo, Matthew. Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure.
Beavan, Colin. No Impact Man.
Child, Julia. My Life in France.
Eggers, Dave. Zeitoun.
Kurson, Robert. Shadow Divers.
Peacock, Nancy. A Broom of One’s Own.
Salisbury, Laney & Aly Sujo. Provenance.
Jack Reacher series
Posted: December 20, 2011 Filed under: Book Reviews, Booklists | Tags: Audiobook, thriller 1 Comment »
Jack Reacher Series, by Lee Child
For some reason I kept putting off reading Lee Child. I know his books are very popular, but I kept pushing them to the bottom of my “to read” list. So eventually I got around to the first book in the Jack Reacher series, Killing Floor. Then I immediately read the second, the third…. For weeks I read nothing but Lee Child.
Jack Reacher is an amazing character. He is big (really big), a loner, a drifter, self-sufficient, smart, and he travels light. When his hotel room is trashed one night that means his toothbrush is broken and tossed onto the floor. He is ex-army and he knows self-defense. He can take on any number of assailants, using head butts, elbows, knees, and any other body parts that are available.
He knows from past experience that he should eat when the opportunity arises because you never know when you might have the chance again. Same thing with sleep.
All in all, Child has created a likeable tough guy, interesting and complicated plots, lots of tension, with some humor thrown in. Occasionally though, I kind of wish Reacher would settle down (for at least a little while) with one of the lovely, beautiful, caring women he encounters. I have been on the waiting list for the final book, and I finally have it at home. Can’t wait to read it! For more about Jack Reacher, visit the author’s web site. Kay
Here is a list of the Jack Reacher novels, in order of publication:
2. Die Trying
3. Tripwire
5. Echo Burning
6. Without Fail
7. Persuader
8. The Enemy
9. One Shot
10. The Hard Way
12. Nothing to Lose
13. Gone Tomorrow
14. 61 Hours
15. Worth Dying For
16. The Affair
Your library also owns the entire series on compact disc. They make great listening!
Books Enjoyed in 2011
Posted: December 18, 2011 Filed under: Booklists Leave a comment »Recently, the library’s morning and evening book discussion groups had a joint gathering to talk about books we’ve individually enjoyed reading this year. These are in addition to books that we discussed as a group. Here are some of the titles mentioned:
Fiction
The Dreamseller: the Calling, by Augusto Cory
Girl in Hyacinth Blue, by Susan Vreeland
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
The Man from Beijing, by Henning Mankell
The Snowman, by Jo Nesbo
Still Life, by Louise Penny
Wildflower Hill, by Kimberly Freeman
The Women, by T. Coraghessan Boyle
Non-Fiction
Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout, by Philip Connors
How I Got This Way, by Regis Philbin
Maphead: Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks, by Ken Jennings
The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World, by Daniel Yergin
In January, I will post a list of favorite book discussion titles.
Brenda
Everything Sherlock Holmes
Posted: November 11, 2011 Filed under: Booklists | Tags: mystery Leave a comment »The original Sherlock Holmes stories and novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first appeared in 1887, 124 years ago. Ever since, readers have been fascinated by the brilliant, eccentric detective and his friend, Dr. Watson. Many other mystery writers have continued to write about Sherlock Holmes. These are some of the most recent books:
The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz, 2011.
This mystery was commissioned by the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle.
The Magic Bullet: a Locked Room Mystery featuring Shadwell Rafferty and Sherlock Holmes, by Larry Millett, 2011. Set in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1917. Sherlock Holmes makes only a brief appearance.
The Mary Russell mysteries by Laurie King feature a semi-retired Sherlock Holmes and his young neighbor Mary. They work together in eleven mysteries; beginning with The Beekeeper’s Apprentice and appearing most recently in The Pirate King, 2011.
A Study in Sherlock, 2011.
A collection of short stories by notable mystery writers.
The Strange Return of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes and the Shakespeare Letter, by Barry Grant, 2010. Sherlock Holmes was frozen in a Swiss glacier and revived 80 years later.
Sherlock Holmes: The American Years, 2010.
Ten original stories by various writers set in the American West when Sherlock was young.
The Baker Street Letters, by Michael Robertson, 2009.
Two lawyers, Reggie and Nigel Heath, rent Sherlock’s old apartment and sign a lease agreeing to receive all letters sent to Sherlock Holmes, and end answering them. Followed by The Brothers of Baker Street, 2011.
Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper killings by Dr. John H. Watson, by Lyndsay Faye, 2009.
The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 2009.
The Mammoth Book of New Sherlock Holmes Adventures, 2009.
Sherlock Holmes in America, 2009.
The Shadow of Reichenbach Falls, by J. Robert King, 2008.
Sherlock Holmes: the Unauthorized Biography, by Nick Rennison, 2005.
The Italian Secretary: a Further Adventure of Sherlock Holmes, by Caleb Carr, 2005. Sherlock Holmes tries to save the life of Queen Victoria.
A Slight Trick of the Mind, by Mitch Cullin, 2005. Here Sherlock Holmes is 93.
The Irene Adler mysteries by Carole Nelson Douglas, beginning with Good Night, Mr. Holmes and finishing eight books later with Spider Dance, 2004.
Sherlock Holmes and the Hapsburg Tiara, by Alan Vanneman, 2004.
Shadows over Baker Street, 2003.
Stories about Sherlock Holmes set in the world of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft.
My Sherlock Holmes: Untold Stories of the Great Detective, 2003.
And last, but certainly not least: The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle, edited by Leslie S. Klinger, 2005.
Brenda
Amish Fiction
Posted: October 18, 2011 Filed under: Booklists | Tags: Amish Fiction Leave a comment »Amish fiction has become very popular, even making the besteller lists recently. Perhaps the farm or village settings, close-knit family life and gentle romance make the simpler Amish lifestyle appealing as a pleasant change of pace from our busy suburban lives.
Here are some recent Amish fiction titles available at the library:
Brunstetter, Wanda. Lydia’s Charm; On Her Own; A Sister’s Hope; White Christmas Pie.
Clark, Mindy Starns. The Amish Midwife.
Ellis, Mary. Abigail’s New Hope.
Fisher, Suzanne Woods. A Lancaster County Christmas.
Fuller, Kathleen. An Honest Love; A Man of His Word.
Gray, Shelley. Autumn’s Promise; Spring’s Renewal; Winter’s Awakening.
Hilton, Laura. Patchwork Dreams.
Lewis, Beverly. The Judgment; The Missing; The Secret; The Telling; The Thorn.
Wiseman, Beth. Plain Proposal.
Woodsmall, Cindy. The Bridge of Peace; The Hope of Refuge.
Brenda
