Yolo County Library
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Biography and Memoir December 2016
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| You Will Not Have My Hate by Antoine Leiris; translated by Sam TaylorOn November 13, 2015, terrorists attacked several locations in Paris, France. That evening, author Antoine Leiris was at home with his 17-month-old toddler while his wife, Hélène Muyal-Leiris, attended a concert at the Bataclan theater. The terrorists killed 89 people there, including Hélène. In this brief and heartrending memoir, Leiris offers a moving chronicle of that evening and the following days, during which he struggled to comprehend his loss, tried to establish a new-normal routine with his son, and addressed the terrorists in a Facebook post titled "You Will Not Have My Hate." This portrait of bereavement will speak to many who have suffered loss or observed its effects on friends and family. |
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| The Word Detective: Searching for the Meaning of It All at the Oxford English Dictionary by John SimpsonJohn Simpson, the former chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, recounts his life as a "word detective," enriching this memoir with witty commentary on the history of language. From 1976, before the OED computerized their operations, to his retirement 37 years later, Simpson was immersed in the process of dictionary building. The Word Detective is rich with linguistic insights, but it's not limited to Simpson's job: it recounts intriguing personal details and anecdotes about his family. Simpson's life story will appeal not only to language buffs, but also to those who enjoy reading about unusual professions. |
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| Something in the Blood: The Untold Story of Bram Stoker, the Man Who Wrote Dracula (on order) by David J. SkalIn Something in the Blood, author David Skal examines the life experiences, personality, and thought processes of Bram Stoker, the creator of Dracula. Making use of his own extensive research, previously published materials on Stoker, and detailed descriptions of Dracula productions through the years, Skal discusses Victorian beliefs and anxieties about sexuality and diseases, as well as Stoker's connections with Oscar Wilde and theater manager Henry Irving. Skal skillfully digests the results of his extensive research into an "engrossing narrative" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) enhanced with illustrations. Lovers of Victoriana, in addition to Stoker's fandom, should be sure to check this out. |
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| Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? A Memoir by Roz ChastCelebrated cartoonist Roz Chast, best known for her work in The New Yorker, relates her experiences with her aging parents in this bittersweet memoir, which starts with conversations about getting older and moving to a retirement home. Chast's portrayals of their declining health and the ends of their lives complete the account. She evokes sympathy for her parents and herself in her illustrated narrative that's leavened with deft touches of ironic humor. Adding documents and photographs to her distinctive cartoon style helps to illuminate her parents' personalities and her concern for them. |
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| Let's Be Less Stupid: An Attempt to Maintain My Mental Faculties by Patricia MarxAfter she reached middle age, New Yorker writer Patricia Marx became concerned that her mental acuity would decline. Embarking on a quest to fend off stupidity, she tries out a range of mental exercises and study courses while investigating the claims of various anti-dementia products and activities. Confessing to her own mental lapses, she evaluates her progress in learning Cherokee (which she confused with Navajo) and passing quizzes. She also supplies readers with questionnaires, lists of things to remember (or forget), and other samples from her four months of brain-building. Part memoir, part investigative research, and all hilarity, Let's Be Less Stupid offers enlightenment to adults of all ages. |
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Bettyville : a memoir
by George Hodgman
A veteran magazine and book editor returns to his hometown of Paris, Missouri, to take care of his aging mother, Betty, a strong-willed woman who speaks her mind and has never really accepted the fact that her son is gay.
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Old age : a beginner's guide
by Michael E Kinsley
A deeply personal portrait of aging and illness by the beloved Vanity Fair columnist and founder of Slate draws on his battles with Parkinson's to trace the experiences of Baby Boomers against periods of dramatic cultural, economic and health-care changes.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Yolo County Library
226 Buckeye St. Woodland, California 95695 530-666-8005
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