Adult

This book knocked my socks off! I had never heard of Annie Kopchovsky, a Jewish immigrant wife who in 1894 abandoned her family in Boston to partake in a wager straight out of a certain Jules Verne book. Turning herself into “Annie Londonberry,” she rode a bicycle around the world in 15 months, becoming perhaps the first international female sports superstar. I think I like her story so much because it reminds me so much of Nellie Bly, one of her contemporaries (and my idols).

While Oprah has made Steinbeck's East of Eden the second best-selling book of the summer (a young boy wizard occupies the top slot), it is over 600 pages. This is much more manageable for lazy readers. Besides, I always loved reading about the relationship between George and Lennie.

When several people tell me I have to check-out a certain book, I make it appoint to oblige them. Did I think I would be interested in a memoir about a mother who lost her husband in a car accident and became a minister? No. That’s why I know I am not that smart, as this is one of the best books I have read this year. I will guarantee you that you will like this book. It touched me in many ways (I lucked out, as I read this book the same weekend I had the pleasure of watching the superb German Academy Award-winner, The Lives of Others, which I strongly recommend). I hope Braestrup writes more, as I breezed through this beautiful book.

Now that I have reverted to classics, I cannot say enough about this RL Stevenson page-turner. It is part of a series of classics you can buy on Amazon for a buck a book.

Doerr manages to combine a couple of my passions: travel and the brain. If you have not yet read his travel memoir Four Seasons in Rome, you’re in for a treat. Memory Wall is a novella of short stories deals with faded memories in distant lands, and Doerr is one of the few authors who I wish would write books that are a little longer. He leaves you wanting more!

This book is a real kick for Cliff Clavins like me who love useless information, such as the origins of certain terms in our vocabulary. Witty, easy-to-read – perfect!

You can read this book in two hours. It is small, with big print. That captures the gist of this small person who had a big impact. I think this book has been on the bestseller list for around 200 weeks.

Subtitled “The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities,” this gem acts as an encyclopedia of dangerous garden items. I found the book fascinating.

I was so distressed by Nora Ephron’s recent passing, as she was truly one of the funniest American women of the past half century. These short essays will remind you of her sharp wit. We lost her too soon.

For some reason I found myself reading odd British novels this past month. I guess I just admire the Brits’ sense of humor and imagination. Hunt takes us on interesting parallel tales of a widow and Winston Churchhill, both battling depression. The widow rents a room to a black dog (yes, a black dog), who constantly torments the dying elder statesman. If nothing else, this is one of the more unique novels I have read in recent memory.

The perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit of giving and kindness that reminds us of the true “reason for the season (hint: it does not entail going into debt to appease the commercial needs of everyone you know).”

What a treat to be introduced to Bob Smith’s intelligent and hilarious brand of science fiction writing. This is satire at its finest with commentaries on politics, sexuality and regret. Found myself laughing throughout the novel.

Uplifting holiday tale of faith and love, written in Flagg’s reliable, charming style.

This is the funniest book I’ve read this year. I delighted in reading it from cover to cover at Border’s while listening to the Mamma Mia! soundtrack. Filled with hilarious tips and illustrations, who could not love a book with chapters like “Turn Signals – Why Give Up the Element of Surprise?” and “Bumper Stickers: Religion & Politics Are Just the Beginning – You Can Start a Conflict with Another Driver Over Almost Anything.” It also has my favorite “direct paraphrase” from Patrick Henry: “We must fight to dismantle systems of oppression created by distant and tyrannical monarchies, and the DMV!” This book is sure to bring a smile to any driver frustrated by other motorists’ ineptitudes.

Debbie Macomber is one of the most inspirational writers I know, as I am so pleased with her success. I am not a big romance reader, but I always appreciate great writing. Macomber delivers with this tale of jilted lovers reunited at the holidays.