Fun Books for Winter Break

It’s still winter break, so why not pick up something fun? Here are five books guaranteed to bring some fun to your vacation.

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit

By Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Knopf, $6.99

The fifth book in the best-selling Luch Lady series is now out! Lunch Lady’s school is having a bake sale to raise money for a field trip. But before anyone can buy a tasty treat, someone steals all the goodies! There are a few people in the school who dislike bake sales, and it’s up to the Breakfast Bunch kids and Lunch Lady to discover who really stole the goodies. A wonderful addition to the Lunch Lady series, complete with an appearance by Buszilla!

Sock Monkey & Friends

9 different fun-to-make sock animal projects

by Samantha Fisher and Cary Lane

Chronicle Books, $17.99

Sock monkeys are cute and easy to make, but how many people have actually made one? This kit includes directions and the materials you’ll need to make a sock monkey. Once you see how easy and fun it is, you’ll be off, rounding up all the pairless socks in your house. Besides, who can resist a sock squirrel, alligator, or owl!

Kid Made Modern

By Todd Oldham

Ammo, $22.95

This has got to be the coolest kid’s craft book I’ve seen. Forget the “kid’s” part, I’m ready to make these things for my apartment and myself. Using easy-to-find materials, Kid Made Modern gives easy directions for creating crafts inspired by mid-century modern design. Beautiful photographs accompany each project and each section is introduced by a profile of a mid-century designer.

The Cleaner Plate Club

More Than 100 Recipes for Real Food Your Kids Will Love

By Beth Bader and Ali Benjamin

Storey Publishing, $16.95

This colorful cookbook is great for kids or adults. The introduction profiles different ingredients, as well as shopping strategies and information on nutrition and food in the United States. Other sections include how to cook seasonally, how to convert recipes for your slow-cooker, and why to shop at farmers’ markets. Fun, colorful illustrations and photos accompany these sections. The recipes include such delicious dishes as Pumpkin-White Cheddar Soup, Carrot-Quinoa “Biryani”, and Pumpkin Gnocchi. An informative cookbook for children, parents…just about anyone, really!

Papertoy Monsters

50 Cool Papertoys You Can Make Yourself!

By Castleforte and 24 papertoy designers from around the world

Workman, $16.95

Silly, fun, wacky, gross, and sometimes utterly ridiculous monsters fill the pages of this book. The colors are bright, the directions are simple, and there’s no cutting involved! Each papertoy punches out of the page and is accompanied by directions for creating your wacky 3-D monster. Blank templates are provided at the back of the book so that you can create your own monsters.

Happy vacation!
-Marika

We're saying it with our favorite Alphabet books!

As Bing Crosby might Rhapsodize... "All though it's been said many times many ways!"




If you need us to spell it out for you...
Happy Holidays! Best Wishes from the Odyssey Bookshop!

The Odyssey Bookshop will be open for business, regular store hours, on December 26, 2010.

On the Twelfth Day of the Holidays My Bookseller Recommended to me!

Twelve Stocking Stuffers!



Here's to hoping you have a great Holiday season!

Paz,

Nieves

On the Eleventh Day of the Holidays My Bookseller Recommended to me!

eleven mass markets!!!

And how! Mass market books make some of the best stocking stuffers for book lovers world wide! The big man himself would be pleased as punch to leave any of the following titles tucked away above your chimney, especially as he wouldn't have to gift wrap any of his books bought here at the Odyssey... only 3 more days until Christmas folks!

Hope you are feeling warm this winter's night!

Paz,

Nieves

On the Tenth Day of the Holidays My Bookseller Recommended to me!

Ten Calendars for keeping... track of time that is!

We have calendars galore- but of course as the year is coming close to an end quantities are limited!

Feel free to come in an browse our selection! Have a great Monday folks!

Paz,

~Nieves

Book Review: Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan

I think Stewart O'Nan must reinvent himself more than any other modern US author. Many, if not most, writers have a type and they stick pretty closely within a certain range. Philip Roth likes to write about the lives of Jewish upper middle class men. Jodi Picoult picks an "issue" and then uses multiple narrators to write around it. William Faulkner liked to chronicle lives in his fictional Yoknapatawpha County. Flannery O'Connor was peerless at finding the gothic in the quotidian. You can be sure that characters in Barbara Kingsolver's fiction will advocate for social justice.

With Stewart O'Nan, however, you get a different book every time he's at bat. In A Prayer for the Dying, set in post-Civil War Wisconsin, he pulls off a beautifully, if tragically, conceived novel in what may be the only successful use of a second-person narrative I've ever read. In Everyday People, he narrates vignettes from various African-American perspectives from the inner city neighborhood of East Liberty, PA. The Circus Fire is a narrative nonfiction piece about one of the worse tragedies in Hartford, Connecticut's history. In Songs for the Missing, he explores the psychological ramifications that a missing girl has on her family and in her small town at large.

So I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up his new novel, Emily, Alone, forthcoming from Viking in March 2011, but I knew it would be worth my time. It turns out to be the story of Emily Maxwell, a woman of a certain age, who muses alternately on her loneliness and her newfound independence in widowhood. (What I did not know until after finishing the book is that it is also a sequel to O'Nan's previous novel, Wish You Were Here. I had no idea when I picked up the advance reading copy that it was the case, so I can assure you with impunity that it's not necessary to read WYWH before reading E, A.)

There aren't enough pieces of good fiction being written about older generations (2009's The Leisure Seeker, while dealing with a pair of octogenarians, was not particularly well written) and Emily, Alone goes a long way to fill that gap. It is thoughtfully done, getting into the mind, heart, and memory of an elderly woman in a thoroughly convincing way, evoking her loneliness poignantly but without resorting to emotional manipulation or sentimentality: it's just a simple fact that once you reach a certain age, you must face the possibility of outliving your circle of friends. But there are warm moments, too. Emily learns to drive again, trading in her husband's behemoth of a gas guzzler in favor of a Prius, so that she might zip about town, visiting the art museum and planetarium on their senior discount days with her sister-in-law, Arlene. She has ongoing conversations with her dog, who is also old and gray and full of sleep. She muses on the changing demographics of her once upper middle class neighborhood and of Pittsburgh in general. In short, she tries to live a full life, consciously reaching beyond her loneliness to add both meaning and structure to her days.

O'Nan is one of the most versatile storytellers I know, and this book further clinches his place in the modern American pantheon of writers.

~Emily

On the Ninth Day of the Holidays My Bookseller Recommended to me!

Nine new releases...

the following are some of our favorite newly released titles from Fall/Winter catalogs! Some of these titles have been previously published in hardcover, but are definitely worthy of this post!

*

ODIOUS OGRE by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer. The Odious Ogre has a terrible reputation and the townspeople live in constant fear of him. But one day he comes across a girl who has never heard of him. She is so sweet and generous and her kindness may just kill him. This is the first book Juster and Feiffer have worked on together since The Phantom Tollbooth. Ages 3-8 ~Marika

ASH by Malinda Lo. There have been many retellings of Cinderella, but Ash is an entirely new take on Perrault’s tale. Ash grows up reading fairy tales, which her father says are just stories. When her father dies and her stepmother sets her to work, Ash dreams of escaping into the land of faerie, a place she knows is real. Ash meets the faerie Sidhean and learns that her wish may finally be granted. Meanwhile, Ash’s walks in the woods bring her to forge a friendship with the King’s Huntress. As their friendship grows, Ash comes to the realization that perhaps love can exist in the human realm. But Ash has already promised Sidhean that she will return faerie, and she must choose between the possibility of love and the ethereal perfection of faerie. Ages 12 & up ~Marika

DUST CITY by Robert Paul Weston. Narrated by the son of the Big Bad Wolf, Dust City is a dark, gritty and violent story but stands out from many on the YA shelf with its fairy tale-inspired twist. Fairy tales were always scary, but Weston updates the issues and ideas, creating a gritty novel that will resonate with today’s teens. Think The Outsiders with a Fables twist. Ages 12 & up ~Marika

* *

ROOM by Emma Donoghue. Jack, our 5-year-old narrator, and his mother are being held captive in an 11’ by 11’ room. His mother struggles to give him as close to normal a childhood as possible under these desperate circumstances, with “Outside” being a made-up world he sees only on TV. But when Ma’s daily struggle against insanity becomes too much to
bear, Jack must bear the burden of a drastic escape plan. Donoghue’s ability to portray Jack’s understanding of his world and Ma’s determination to keep him safe is both tender and heart-wrenching. It has been a long time since I have read a book that has affected me as much as this one has—it’s absolutely haunting. ~Emily

COMPASS ROSE by John Casey. A sequel to Spartina, which won the National Book Award and was acclaimed by the New York Times Book Review as being, “possibly the best American novel . . . since The Old Man and the Sea,” This book also works beautifully as a stand-alone novel. In the salt marshes of southern Rhode Island, a small community wrestles with how to understand and negotiate the corporate gentrification of their coastline and how to welcome Rose. She is Elsie Buttrick’s out-of-wedlock daughter by local fisherman Dick Pierce, whose wife and sons live nearby. Casey is a master at creeping into the heads of his characters and opening their hearts to us; he also creates a magically rendered landscape, where the tidal movement of the estuaries echo the subtly changing relationships among the characters. I adored this book. ~Elli

ONE HUNDRED PORTRAITS engraved by Barry Moser. We are so fortunate to have one of the world’s most important wood engravers as a local resident and a great friend to the Odyssey. Barry’s new book is a masterpiece that all bibliophiles will want to add to their libraries. Writers, artists, composers & friends grace the pages of this book. Portraits of local artists and writers include: Leonard Baskin, Patricia MacLachlan, Richard Wilbur, and Eric Carle, and my favorites include Eudora Welty, Maxine Kumin, Wole Soyinka, and Emily Crowe. ~Joan

THE BELLS by Richard Harvell. Born to a deaf mother amidst the peals of the loudest bells in 18th-century Christendom, Moses Froben is a boy whose extraordinary sense of hearing is matched only by the altitudinous beauty of his soprano voice. Dark events lead him to seek sanctuary at the Abbey of St. Gall, where even darker events lead to the forced castration that will preserve his exquisite voice and rent him asunder from his love. Or will it? All musical roads eventually lead to Vienna, and there he finds solace with friends old and new in this fascinating retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth. An impressive debut that will delight historical fiction and classical music fans alike. ~Emily


AT HOME: A SHORT HISTORY OF PRIVATE LIFE by Bill Bryson. Bryson takes his home, a mid-19th century rectory in Norfolk, England, as the jumping off point for investigating every angle of domestic history. We get the expected lessons in architecture, furniture and horticulture, as well as the more unusual, such as the brilliant teamwork skills of rats, or the strategic importance of nutmeg in empire building. Bryson’s trademark humor and wry social commentary are certainly present, but what stands out most here is his ability to trace intriguing connections between seemingly unrelated facts. In short, I found it endlessly fascinating. ~Emily


WINE TRIALS 2011 by Robin Goldstein. Do you believe that wine has to be expensive to be good? Do you feel a bit overwhelmed looking at labels in wine shops? Do you want to bring a good bottle of wine to a friend’s house without applying for a new mortgage? If your answer to any of these is ‘yes,’ Wine Trials 2011 may be the perfect book for you. Of course it may also be the perfect gift for that friend of yours who also answers ‘yes.’ Limited to a review of good wines under $15.00, this wonderful little book has reports of blind taste testing as well as brief descriptions of 150 wines – their aroma, taste and presentation. Armed with this book you can hold your head high on your next trip to the wine store. ~Neil

*Note: The *starred* books are on our 25 for 25% off sale!
Buy now while supplies last!

Paz,

~Nieves

The Sunday Question

Which book (or books) will you treat yourself to this holiday season?

I'm taking a short

break from my holiday baking (Pfefernusse, Joy

of Cooking, 2006, Swedish Coffee Bread, Saveur Cooks Authentic American, 1998) and hope to improve the hour by posing a Sunday Question.

I've noticed that customers are coming up to the counter laden with gifts for others, but will often then apologize for books they've purchased for themselves.

"Oh, you don't need to wrap that!" they exclaim. Then their voices drop to a stage whisper, "I'm buying that for myself."

I just don't think that's right. Buy books for yourself proudly. Proudly declare the books you wish others would buy for you, otherwise you'll end up with a stack you'll have to return.

So, in the spirit of disclosure, I'll begin with the books I will be treating myself to, unless someone else (hint, hint) beats me to it.

First will be:

A Kingdom Far And Clear, a collection of Mark Helprin's enchanting tales, not necessarily for children, perfectly illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg.

Next I find myself in need of yet another cookbook. Sparky asks how this could be, since I have about fifty on display, and another fifty still in boxes. I confess to being a cookbook-aholic. My cookbook of choice for this season is: The Essential New York Times Cookbook, as much for Amanda Hesser's distillation of 150 years of American cooking as the recipes themselves. It's not just a cookbook, it's a historical document!

Lover of poetry that I am, I have to add two-time Pulitzer prize winner Richard Wilbur's new collection, Anterooms.

Oh, and Sparky and I have decided that we both require Maira Kalman's amazing book based on her New York Times blog, And the Pursuit of Happiness, a gorgeously illustrated meditation on our country's past, present and future.

That's my list of must-haves. What's yours?

~Chrysler

On the Eighth Day of the Holidays My Bookseller Recommended to me!

Eight remainders!

Remainders, or sale books, make great gifts! For the last minute shoppers who needs to keep a couple of wrapped presents on hand for anyone they might have accidentally left off their list, as a small hostess present, or even if you are looking to save a couple of bucks!

We of course have more than just eight remainders, but below are a few of our favorite selections! Hurry quantities are limited!

On the Seventh Day of the Holidays My Bookseller Recommended to me!

Seven Kid's books!

ON THE BLUE COMET by Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. When the stock market crashes and the Great Depression sets in, Oscar’s father is forced to sell his train sets and move to California, leaving Oscar with his Aunt. Oscar manages to find some happiness when he visits his old trains at the bank. But when he witnesses a robbery at the bank the shock catapults him onto real versions of the trains and travels through time. Ages 9-12 ~Marika

POTATO CHIP SCIENCE by Allen Kurzweil. This cleverly packaged book comes equipped with all of the accessories needed to perform over 30 experiments on potatoes and potato chips. This little set is perfect for the holiday and winter season, with plenty of activities to do on those long snowy days and nights. And with potatoes at around 99 cents a pound, they’re economical enough to keep curious minds busy all winter long. How can you go wrong? This is a sure fire hit with both reluctant readers and scientific minds alike! Ages 8-12 ~Nieves

CHILDREN MAKE TERRIBLE PETS written & illustrated by Peter Brown. Every child goes through a phase in which they simply must have a pet. Children Make Terrible Pets puts a new twist on this classic situation when Lucy the Bear brings home a human child. Her mother (like any sane mother) is not pleased—just think what a mess he’ll make! This is a delightfully silly picturebook with fun illustrations. Ages 3-7 ~Marika


A LONG WALK TO WATER by Linda Sue Park. Based on a true story, this novel by Newbery Medalist Park describes the daily life of two teens from Sudan: Salva, one of Sudans “lost boys” who must survive on instinct alone in order to evade marauders bent on kidnapping him for the enscripted militia; and Nya, a girl who must spend eight hours every day walking to and from a distant pond to gather water for her family’s survival. When their stories intersect, it's magical and heartwarming, as their endured hardships and loneliness are paid off, if not in full measure, then at least in a satisfying but realistic way.
Ages 10+ ~Emily

LLAMA LLAMA HOLIDAY DRAMA by Anna Dewdney. The rush and bustle of the holidays can be too exciting for Llama Llama and the waiting is difficult. But in all the hustle and bustle, Llama Mama does not forget the most import thing, family. Another sweet installment in the series. Ages 3-5 ~Marika

CHRISTMAS IN THE TIME OF BILLY LEE by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by Barry Moser. Meet Ellie, a young girl who makes three wishes one Christmas season. When her friend Billy Lee, who may or may not be real, tells her “there is magic in believing something good with all your heart,” readers are sure to join in, crossing fingers and toes and believing solemnly in the wonder and mystery of the holiday season. Moser’s watercolor illustrations will engage young readers and invoke feelings of nostalgia with older generations. Bonus: the model for Ellie is Safiya, daughter of Odyssey customers and local residents, Lex & Marria Carrington!
Ages 4-7 ~Emily

LULU AND THE BRONTOSAURUS by Judith Viorst illustrated by Lane Smith. Lulu is a nasty sort of child who throws tantrums when she doesn’t get exactly what she wants—and her parents always give in. But when Lulu demands a Brontosaurus her parents refuse. Determined to get a Brontosaurus, Lulu packs a suitcase and sets off to find one and make it her new pet. But Lulu and the Brontosaurus have something in common: they’re both looking for a pet. And the Brontosaurus doesn’t give in to the demands of screaming children. Ages 3-8 ~Marika

We of course have tons of great children's books and gifts that will become instant hits and stay as classics in your family for years to come! Please stop by and check it out!

Paz,

~Nieves

On the Sixth Day of the Holidays My Bookseller Recommended to me!

Six Quirky Titles...

THE WAVE: IN PURSUIT OF THE ROGUES, FREAKS, AND GIANTS OF THE OCEAN by Susan Casey. I have never surfed, it is not likely I ever will; nonetheless, I found this book fascinating! I had no idea that there is a group of extremely talented, courageous, and a bit mad surfers traveling around the globe looking for 100-foot waves. Nor did I realize that huge freighters are disappearing at an alarming rate, probably the victim of massive rogue waves that appear so suddenly there isn’t time for an SOS. The book includes interviews with wave researchers who are attempting to understand why wave heights have increased by 25% in recent decades and what the future holds for the millions of people who live near a coastline. A compelling and frightful read. ~Joan

SQUIRREL SEEKS CHIPMUNK by David Sedaris. These anthropomorphized stories of the human condition perfectly showcase Sedaris’ trademark wit and snark as well as his more insightful commentaries. Think Aesop’s fables, but with an absurdist twist! Pick up a copy for yourself or for anyone you know who appreciates irony and offbeat humor. The audio version, read by Sedaris himself, is also great! ~Emily


MR. TOPPIT by Charles Elton. What happens when a chance encounter by an American tourist with a dying man in London results in a runaway-bestselling children’s series? Luke Hayman, whose alter ego, Luke Hayseed, is the protagonist in his father’s books, discovers the hard way how fame is like the fickle medieval Wheel of Fortune, feeding his family’s dysfunctional neuroses and uncovering their secrets with every upswing in the series’ popularity. As delightfully quirky and unpredictable as The Royal Tenenbaums. ~Emily

AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS by Maira Kalman. In Maira Kalman’s latest graphic work she takes on America’s political history in a very personal and entertaining way. Through the narrative of her own experiences and visits with both politicians and places of historical interest, Kalman illustrates with her trademark paintings how our country is structured and how it came to be that way. Kalman is the master of sharing small stories and little known facts in such a way that the reader gets her unique perspective on what it means to pursue one’s happiness. ~Nieves

SNOW PLAY by Birgitta Ralston. Once upon a time, I hated winter. Then I realized this was an untenable position for a New Englander, when winter often lasts six months. I bought cross-country skis and snowshoes and I started loving my time outdoors in the snow. So I was thrilled to find this small gem of a book, which outlines 25 great outdoor winter projects. Forgot how to construct a snow fort? Never made ice cones? How do you build a campfire in the snow? The answers are all here. ~Chrysler

SIMPLE TIMES: CRAFTS FOR POOR PEOPLE By Amy Sedaris. With her trademark sass, kookiness and kitsch, Amy Sedaris presents her second book after her wonderfully popular I Like You. Like Sedaris’ first book, it takes a tongue-in-cheek look at crafting with some of her own original craft projects. In this new saga of Sedaris’ adventures, she takes the reader on an extended “crafternoon” that includes crafting with food, shells, yarn, matches, dead bugs and so much more! While this book may not be for everyone, it is the perfect hilarious gift to give for the crafter/ prankster on your list. Just be sure to take notes before giving it away! ~Nieves

Okay so "quirky" might be subjective but you get the gist!

Hope you have a cup of something warm or someone warm to cuddle up next to!

Paz,

Nieves

On the Fifth Day of the Holidays My Bookseller Recommended to me!

Five autographed copies!!!

RUSSIAN WINTER by Daphne Kolotay. This narrative pas de deux binds Nina Revskaya’s mysterious past as the Bolshoi’s rising young star with her reclusive present as benefactor of the Boston arts scene. When a rash, youthful decision based on jealousy and insecurity sets events spinning out of her control, Nina spends the rest of her life guarding a dark secret. With this sweeping story of art, love, and Soviet politics come hints of intrigue and betrayal in a world where trust is a rare commodity, and even those with the most dazzling talent cannot protect themselves against accusations from party informants. ~Emily

ALL IS FORGOTTEN, NOTHING IS LOST by Lan Samantha Chang. Bernard, Lucy, and Roman enter a prestigious graduate program to study poetry with
the revered and intimidating professor Miranda Sturgis and become friends even as their lives diverge. Bernard works for decades on one long poem and corresponds with writers from his garret while Lucy stops writing and Roman finds early success and achievement. Chang explores the deep unknowns of the writing life: What is talent — What is the meaning – and the cost of literary success? At what price comes faculty mentorship? I am still chewing on her questions. ~Elli

LUKA AND THE FIRE OF LIFE, by Salman Rushdie. When Luka’s father falls into a deep sleep, Luka ventures into the world of magic, and steals the fire of life in order to save his father. His adventure takes the form of a video game, complete with saving points, as he travels through a land populated by gods, goddesses, and characters from his father’s stories. A companion book to Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Luka is a celebration of story telling, filled with classic characters and fun word-play. ~Marika

FIRST FAMILY by Joseph Ellis.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian brings us the love story of John and Abigail Adams, extracted from their tremendous body of letters. Abigail suffers through epidemics, food shortages, and war in Boston, all the while advising John in his efforts to found the fledgling country, fund it as he pioneered shuttle diplomacy in Europe, then hold it together as President. A fascinating portrait of a marriage, as well as an intimate illumination of the sacrifices and triumphs that fashioned the preeminent First Family of our nation. ~Chrysler

TRAVELS IN SIBERIA by Ian Frazier. New Yorker writer Ian Frazier tackles a huge subject—Siberia! Siberia takes up one-twelfth of all land on earth and spans eight time zones. In researching this book Frazier travels to Siberia five times, including a 2001 journey by van across the length of the region. He recounts not only the its history, but also the vast natural world including forests, steppes, taiga, mountains, rivers, and lakes. Additionally he tells the stories of Siberia’s exiles, including Dostoyevsky, Lenin, Stalin, Solzhenitsyn and the millions who suffered and perished in slave labor camps. This is a fascinating travel/history book by one of our greatest non-fiction writers. ~Joan

Quantities are limited!

We also have more signed copies of various author appearances from the past year, please inquire with your friendly Odyssey Bookseller!

Paz,

Nieves

On the Fourth Day of the Holidays My Bookseller Recommended to me!

Four Favorite books!

GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray. Protagonist Cameron has giving up on his family, all too wrapped up in their own lives, particularly his twin sister, to not even acknowledge his existence. But Cameron’s world is shaken up when he’s diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jacob, or mad cow disease. A boy, who at sixteen has never truly lived, is finally given a chance to experience the world as he sets off on an unlikely quest to find a cure and save the world. Mentored by Dulcie, a punk angel with pink hair and spray-painted wings, and assisted by a hypochondriac dwarf and a rescued garden gnome, Cameron sets off on a hilarious road trip in which shenanigans ensue and he learns a little bit about life. A great read with a Don Quixote twist. Ages 14 & up ~Marika

ART AND MAX by David Wiesner. Three time Caldecott Award-winner, David Wiesner, charms audiences once again with this off-beat story of friendship and mentorship. Art, an accomplished painter and Max, an enthusiastic beginner, fall into a whirlwind adventure when Max is inspired to begin painting. The adventure brings them through some pitfalls but ends triumphantly. Mentor unexpectedly becomes the mentored and all through beautiful illustrations that will be long-loved by both kids and adults alike.
Ages 3-6 ~Sophia

THE WOLVES OF ANDOVER by Kathleen Kent. In this prequel to her best-selling The Heretic’s Daughter; Kathleen Kent delivers another powerhouse historical adventure. Her heroine is again Martha Carrier, Kent’s own ancestor who was hanged as a witch in Salem. The thorny romance of young Martha and Thomas Carrier, a mystery man rumored to have fought in the English Civil Wars, is set against the harrowing pursuit of the executioners of King Charles I. ~Chrysler

THE TOWER, THE ZOO AND THE TORTOISE by Julia Stuart. This novel is one of those rare gems that introduces you to indelibly quirky characters, showcases a plot that is utterly rewarding, and provides just as many laugh-out-loud moments as poignant ones. I can’t tell you the last time I read a book filled with such wonderment, and it really is a joy to read a book whose literary value isn’t compromised by its sparkle and charm. People who loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society or Major Pettigrew's Last Stand will love this one, too, as will anybody who enjoys books that are pleasantly offbeat and filled with British humor. It was simply enchanting. ~Emily

Happy Tuesday Folks!

Paz,

~Nieves