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HQ Staff Picks June 9, 2017
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The Red Tent : a novel by Anita Diamant Dinah is known as a silent biblical figure. Her story is never told. Being the only girl among her seven brothers, Dinah is the only sibling who is allowed to enter the red tent. A nurturing environment for women, the red tent is a place where Dinah, her mother, Leah, Dinah’s aunts, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah, and other women go to celebrate their fertility, give birth, and tell stories about their lives. The Red Tent is a historical fiction version of the story of Dinah, a true biblical figure that is referenced in the Book of Genesis. Author, Anita Diamant, gives Dinah a voice where Dinah tells the points of views of her mother and aunts’ lives from her perspective. A popular bestselling novel that received numerous amounts of recognition through word-of-mouth, The Red Tent tells a story about women in biblical society that may seem to appeal to women only, is for anyone who has an interest in cultural roles during biblical times. *Bernadette*
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Since We Fellby Dennis LehaneDennis Lehane is a master of language and I loved getting sucked into this strange book. It opens with a look at the complicated relationship of Rachel, the star of our story, and her mother then moves into Rachel's search for her missing father. But the book isn't really about either of those things. It's more about how Rachel faces her fears, comes into her own, believes in herself, and allows herself to find real love. On the flip side, this is a Dennis Lehane book (Mystic River, Shutter Island) so it wouldn't be complete without something amiss. The last 50-60 pages are a thrill ride that doesn't let up. Once Rachel starts picking at the thread of her marriage, what she unravels cannot be put back together. Wild and beautifully written. *Rebecca*
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Long Man : a novel by Amy GreeneIn the 1930s the Tennessee Valley Authority built a dam on the river Long Man that ran through the town of Yuneetah with plans to flood it in order to bring electricity to the poverty-stricken area. But what promised to bring progress and hope simultaneously destroyed a town where generations of families were raised. And though the government is now helping to relocate the people of Yuneetah, there is one resident that refuses that help and refuses to move: Annie Clyde Dodson. Holding onto her home and land for dear life, Annie’s focus is forced to shift when her 3 year old daughter Gracie goes missing in a terrible storm the day before the final evacuation of the town. As I have experienced before, Amy Greene does such a fantastic job of providing a story so rich with detail that I lose myself in it. The character development and vivid scenery descriptions always leave me with a crystal-clear picture of the people and places she writes to us about. And while this is a work of fiction, it is based on a real-life historical event that took place in the summer of 1936. Having this in mind while reading made the story all the more meaningful. *Crystal*
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Galápagosby Kurt Vonnegut I really needed a palette cleanser recently, and I turned to Kurt Vonnegut to help me out. Galápagos is the story of humankind, essentially, and how it came to be—or at least the humankind of a million years into the future. The ghost of Leon Trout, son of Vonnegut’s recurring semi-hero Kilgore Trout, explains exactly how the world worked together in 1986 to supposedly conspire against a group of people ready to take “The Nature Cruise of the Century” to the Galápagos Islands, only to end up stranded there. Little do they know that within 200 years, their descendants will be the only humans left on the earth. As is typical of a Vonnegut tale, Galápagos is at once absurdly funny and terrifyingly serious; no one can skewer humanity quite like Vonnegut, and despite being written in 1985, Galápagos has aged incredibly well and could be considered a dark satire of our world today. This novel isn’t his best-known work, but if you’ve liked any of Vonnegut’s other novels, or if you’re looking to go off the deep end into absurdist humor, you’ll absolutely enjoy Galápagos. *Jess*
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Gracious : a practical primer on charm, tact, and unsinkable strength* by Kelly Williams Brown This is a hilarious read on etiquette, charm, and how to be nice and remain calm when everyone else around you is being a rude jerk and the world is falling apart. Gracious is full of fascinating interviews with on what it means to be a gracious person with especially gracious people. I loved Brown’s first book, Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps, so I was anxious to read her next book, whatever the topic was. This is the first (and only) book on etiquette I’ve ever read and it was surprisingly entertaining. I was pleasantly surprised at how relatable and practical all the advice was. In addition being practical and informative, Gracious is hilarious. Reading this book made me want to put on white gloves and pearls and host an elaborate dinner party. A great read if you’re looking for ways to stay calm in the face of adversity or just want a laugh. *Katie*
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Kushiel's Dartby Jacqueline Carey If you like Game of Thrones (the TV series and/or the book series by George R.R. Martin) but thought that there were too many characters and not enough intimate adult relations then I implore you to check out Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey. It has all the intense political intrigue, murder, betrayal, secrets, and terrain-crossing adventures. I swear to you there is even a line where an enigmatic character cleverly claims she knows how to play the game of thrones. The protagonist, Phedre, was born with a mark of the Kushiel line, making her a very rare and special person. But it is under the tutelage of Delauney that Phedre becomes a valuable asset for the good of the realm, secretly learning all she can about her royal clients. Unfortunately, she learns too much from the wrong people and must pay the price. It is an incredibly engrossing read for lovers of high fantasy. *Alora*
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Things We Have in Common by Tasha Kavanagh Tasha Kavanagh has worked as a feature film editor in the past, but Things we have in Common is her first project in adult fiction. This book is SO weird and unlike anything I’ve ever read before! The narrator is an overweight fifteen year old girl named Yasmin with lots of secrets. She likes to stretch the truth, has compulsive tendencies, and shows signs of stalker-like behavior throughout the novel. She has a box called “Alice’s Box” in her bedside cabinet; it is filled with some of Alice’s things including a green foil from a snack she ate once and an old gym sock. Who is Alice? you might wonder. Alice is the prettiest, most popular girl at school. She is also the main object of Yasmin’s obsession. One day, Alice goes missing and Yasmin may have a clue as to where she has gone. Giving that clue up to the detectives, however, might compromise the only friendship she has ever known. In the end, the reader will find out exactly where Yasmin’s loyalties lie. Yasmin is certainly a type of unreliable narrator. You can never be sure if she’s telling the truth based on reality or a fantasy she’s made up in her head. Her obsession rapidly switches back and forth between various foods to Alice to her new “friend.” This is part of the fun in following her character’s progression. The author’s ability to create sympathy for this character despite all her faults is also impressive. If you’re looking for a leisurely-paced, psychological suspense book that is more character-driven than plot-driven, then I highly recommend Things We Have in Common. *Isabel*
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Into the Waterby Paula Hawkins Paula Hawkins is best known for her bestselling novel, The Girl on the Train. With her first book being such a huge success, some would think it would be hard to follow, but her second novel, Into the Water doesn't disappoint. I will say at first it was hard to get into because of all the characters, but don't let that discourage you. Into the Water is a great, fantastic story. Jules' sister is found dead in a river that is known for having people commit suicide. She sets out with the police to see if her sister actually killed herself or if someone pushed her in. Into the Water is a suspenseful novel that will have you guessing all the way to the end. *Shannon*
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Douglas has had terrible luck with romance, but she finally thinks she has met the one with Robert. However, when on vacation in England with Robert she learns that he is not as perfect as he seems when he abandons her at a church with no possessions. While weeping over the grave of Nicholas Stafford, a 16th century lord accused of treason, she somehow transports him to her time. Together they must find a way to clear his name and send Nicholas back to his time. For this to work they must learn how to trust each other, but the goal of sending him back becomes even harder to complete as feelings develop. Will they find a way to clear Nicholas of treason and will they find a way to be together? Jude Deveraux does a great job with the character development in this novel. I liked how the characters develop feelings over time as they learn how to trust one another and deal with their own personal problems. In addition, when Douglas travels back in time I felt like I was in that time period based on the descriptions. At moments I felt like I could smell the foul stench she was experiencing when walking through the village. This book also made me think about how I would feel if I was thrust into a new time period. What conveniences would I miss? If you like time-traveling romances filled with humorous banter-filled moments, then look no further. *Christina*
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1408 What do you do when your curiosity turns into the scare of your life? Mike Enslin, well known author of supernatural books, experiences this feeling first hand. Mike is doubtful of all things paranormal, and when he receives a postcard telling him not to enter room 1408, a so-called evil room located in a New York City hotel named The Dolphin, Mike takes the message as a challenge. 1408 is a creepy, psychological mind bender. Actor, John Cusack, plays the character, Mike Enslin, who takes pleasure in discrediting haunted locations. When Mike finds out about the reputation of hotel room 1408, he books the room, takes out his tape recorder, and begins the analysis that takes him on a personal yet terrifying journey. A hotel stay has never been so ominous, sinister, and destructive. *Bernadette*
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Allied In 1942, the middle of WWII, a Canadian Intelligence Officer, Max, and a female French Resistance fighter, Marianne, are assigned a mission to assassinate the German Ambassador in Casablanca. While pretending to be husband and wife, they actually do fall in love with one another. So after their mission is successfully accomplished, Max and Marianne move to London, get married, and have a baby. But a year later, Max learns from Special Operations that they suspect Marianne of being a German spy. This is a romantic thriller with superior acting from Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard in their complex roles. And it’s got all “the feels”… war-time romance, the adrenaline of the mission, marriage, children, true love and betrayal. I found it to be an extremely touching film. *Crystal*
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Split I think M. Night Shyamalan may have redeemed himself a little with this film. Three teenage girls are abducted by a man with 24 separate personalities. The identities they meet continue to reference a personality that they have been selected specifically for... The Beast. James McAvoy will blow your mind with his acting and the end is certainly creepy enough to make your skin crawl. Check it out and watch it in the dark with the covers up to your chin. *Rebecca*
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A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Mixing Western, horror, and Iranian New Wave, director Ana Lily Amirpour creates a stylish and cool film that unquestionably stands apart from the rest. An Iranian vampire girl stalks the bad men of Bad City, satisfying her hunger on the truly distasteful bunch. An Iranian James Dean look-alike just wants to earn as much money as he can and keep his father alive. When the two meet, they feel an instant connection, and their world alters for better or worse. Shot beautifully in black and white, this cutting-edge film is definitely worth a watch for all film lovers out there. *Alora*
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Central Intelligence I watched Central Intelligence on a rainy, blah, indoor day and let me just say it was the perfect mood-booster! The film features Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who plays Robbie Wierdicht and Kevin Hart who plays Calvin Joyner. Robbie and Calvin are former high-school classmates who couldn’t have had a more dissimilar high-school experience if they tried. While Calvin was an all-star athlete and standout student back in the day, Robbie endured much ridicule and bullying. They didn’t hang out in the same circle, so to speak, but circumstances bring them together in adulthood when Robbie recruits Calvin’s help with a wild, yet important, CIA mission. I enjoyed watching them interact together throughout the film because their acting styles complemented each other so well, which was a big surprise for me. I highly recommend Central Intelligence if you’re looking for a light-hearted action film packed with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that will have you thinking, “Wow, did that really just happen!?” *Isabel*
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Lion Lion was nominated for six Academy Awards and is based on the incredible true story of Saroo Brierley. Saroo (Dav Patel) was five years old when he was accidentally left at a train station. He is later adopted by a loving Australian couple. At the age of 25 he sets out to find his birth family in India. Lion is a powerful, heartfelt, beautiful story that will have you needing tissues. I look forward to reading Saroo's memoir, A Long Way Home, which the movie is based on. *Shannon*
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Zero K by Don DeLillo, narrated by Thomas Sadoski What do you think about cryogenics? I’m not sure I’d ever have myself frozen for the future, but the topic fascinates me. The morality surrounding cryogenics clearly fascinated Don DeLillo, too, because here we have Zero K: a novel about a father and son on different sides of the aisle when it comes to cryogenically preserving the father’s terminally ill wife until a time when she can be cured. Ross Lockhart is a billionaire, and Jeff is his son, who we first meet as he is rendered practically unconscious by the long, arduous journey to the facility that will freeze his stepmother. The almost cult-like place—probably somewhere in Kyrgyzstan—is a vast underground facility with elevators that move sideways instead of up and down and endless empty hallways. Jeff, who narrates the book, is uncomfortable with stepmom Artis essentially killing herself to freeze her body, and doubly so when Ross announces that he’s “going with her”. DeLillo dodges in and out of Jeff’s personal life and past gracefully, and we learn about Ross and Jeff’s rocky past. The audiobook, read skillfully by Thomas Sadoski, lends a sense of eeriness to the characters and plot, which is slow but fascinating. An interlude from the frozen Artis piles onto the disturbance of Zero K, which ultimately ends with optimism but not much resolution. If you like open-ended novels that leave you thinking for days, Zero K is the one. *Jess*
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Yes, My Accent is Real : and some other things I haven't told youby Kunal Nayyar The Big Bang Theory is one of my favorite current television shows and when I heard that Kunal Nayyar had a memoir I had to read it. In this memoir he highlights his life while growing up, dating, his journey to becoming an actor, and the struggles he faced. Kunal does not shy away from telling embarrassing stories like how he wrecked a car as a student worker or his fear of horses. This humorous and upbeat memoir will have the reader entertained for hours, plus if you have a strong cultural heritage you will be able to relate even more with Kunal’s life. One fantastic aspect of listening to the audiobook is that Kunal narrates his story. It feels like you are having a conversation with the actor. In addition, the reader can listen to the accent they love from the show. I know I did! *Christina*
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Graphic Novels and Comics
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The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips Some of my favorite graphic novels—Kill My Mother, Britten and Brulightly, Sin City—have been crime noir, so my gravitation to the blacklist crime series The Fade Out came naturally. The Fade Out follows Charlie, a screenwriter and WWII vet attempting to rework the script for a never-ending shoot on a film meant to be a vehicle for Valerie Sommers, a child-actress-turned-aspiring-starlet. Charlie wakes in Val’s house one morning after a night of scandalous 1950s-style debauchery to find Val’s dead body, and he (of course) panics. He tells his friend Gil, a screenwriter bumped from Charlie’s company after being blacklisted during the height of McCarthyism, and they decide to find out whodunit. Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips worked together to form the story, and they created a fine piece of noir by any standards, not just in terms of comics. The shady characters, the booze, the women—it all comes together perfectly, with Phillips’ drawing and Elizabeth Breitweiser’s coloring skills perfectly supporting the plot. The Fade Out’s unconventional but perfectly noir ending is well suited to the story. A must read. *Jess*
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Something New : tales from a makeshift brideby Lucy Knisley This is an adorable and charming graphic novel, detailing the author's relationship with her now-husband John and the time they spent planning their wedding. Knisley describes the book as “a wedding story about how nuts weddings are.” She deals with absurd and dated traditions, the chaos of planning from across the country, and dealing with crazy family members. Her simple drawings are cute without being childish and heartwarming without being cheesy. The book is also full of fascinating wedding/marriage trivia: “Princess Mary, later known as ‘Bloody Mary’, was promised in marriage at age two and given an engagement ring.” Something New is a quick and entertaining read -- exactly what I’d expect from Knisley. *Katie*
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