A House in the Sky by: Amanda Lindhout

Book of the Day:
A House in the Sky by: Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett

 
   I never used to find memoirs appealing until recently. In my head there was this preconceived notation that all memoirs are boring and dull. Call it teenage ignorance or just being naive, either way, I was so very, very wrong. A House in the Sky has all the makings of a breathtaking and immensely interesting memoir about a woman who was held captive in Somalia for 15 months.
     A House in the Sky starts off with a glimpse into Amanda Lindhout's childhood in a rural town of Alberta, Canada. As a child Amanda would dumpster dive with one of her brothers to collect bottles to return for cash. Amanda's bottle money was put to good use as she began to purchase old copies of National Geographic. She found that as her stack of magazines accumulated, so did her longing to travel. 
     Finally, at the age of 19, Amanda and her boyfriend at the time got out of Canada and spent 6 months in backpacking in South America. South America became a gateway destination for Amanda that led her to go on and backpack through many countries including Asia, Africa, Iran, and even Somalia.
      Ridden with war, religious tensions and poverty, Somalia is often labeled as one of the most dangerous places in the world, especially for women. At 26 years old, Amanda and her ex-boyfriend, Nigel, knew the risk they were taking when they decided to do some freelance reporting in part of Somalia. After a short time there, Amanda and Nigel were kidnapped by a group of Somalian men and held for a ransom of 1.5 million dollars each. A combined 3 million dollars for two westerners is not uncommon. In actuality, the kidnapping of westerners is a common occurrence in Somalia. and to the horror of Amanda and Nigel, there are laws set in place that stop foreign countries from paying ransoms. Amanda knows her family can't afford the ransom. She's well too aware of what happens to those whose families can't pay ransoms.

   Against the odds, Amanda survives 15 brutal months in captivity.

   A House in the Sky is a recollection of what happened during those 15 months. Amanda's bravery is awe-inspiring, it impossible to read this memoir and not be sucked into the world she became a part of. I can not recommend this book enough, it's simply a must read. 

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by: Austin Kleon

   Whoever ever said "big things come in small packages" must have been referring to this gem of a book. Austin Kleon (author of Newspaper Blackout and Steal Like an Artist ) has written, by far, one of the most creative writing handbooks books I've ever read.
    Kleon knows that he's not the first person to write about the fact that all ideas grow from other ideas. He quotes a wide range of artists who share the same view point, including Picasso and Jay-Z, and offers a unique perspective on how to pull inspiration from other artists in order to create original art, whether it be writing, painting, or music.
    There's a fine line that separates stealing ideas and plagiarism and Austin Kleon manages to address that  point (along with many others) in an entertaining and cohesive way. All of his ideas are presented in short, visually appealing chapters full of valuable creative advice.
    Don't let the small size fool you- Steal Like an Artist is a wonderful guide for the modern day artist. 
      

Light Between Oceans by: M.L. Stedman

   Tom Sherbourne accepts a job offering as a lighthouse keeper on Januce Rock hoping that he'll have time to recover from the physiological effects of war. He's a dutiful man, who takes his job seriously and enjoys the peacefulness of the island so far away from home.
     Before he started his new job, a man told Tom that it takes a certain kind of woman to be a wife of a light keeper. So when Tom met Isabel while feeding pigeons one day, he didn't suspect that the playful young woman would later become his wife.
     Isabel proves to be the perfect wife to accompany Tom during his time at Jaunce. She tends to their small home and goes about fulfilling wifely duties. While her tasks satisfy her need to keep busy, Isabel wants nothing more than to be a mother. Many miscarriages later, Isabel realizes that she may never bear a child.
     Lucy is driven into depression, and Tom doesn't know how to restore his wife's hope of having children, until one night when a small boat drifts ashore carrying the body of a dead man and a baby girl bundled in a woman's cardigan. Tom immediately wants to call for help and record the events in his log, as a good light keeper should, but his wife convinces him to put it off for just one day. Isabel is completely smitten with the baby girl whom she names Lucy. Tom warns his wife not to become too attached, but his efforts are futile. Isabel wholeheartedly believes Lucy is a gift from God and can't be swayed to believe otherwise. With a dreadful pit in his stomach, Tom agrees to keep baby Lucy as their daughter and sends the body and boat back to sea.
       For nearly two years Tom and Isabel raise Lucy as their daughter until Tom finishes his required time as the light keeper. Returning home with Lucy is shockingly different from what Tom and Isabel imagined it would be. It doesn't take long for the couple to realize that, despite what they thought, there are consequences to taking a child that isn't theirs.
      
       I read The Light Between Oceans whenever I could, even if it was only for a few minutes. M.L. Stedman has written such a engrossing novel it is almost impossible to read in more than one sitting. As the reader, you're aware that life for the Sherbournes isn't going to be an easy one-after all, they've committed a serious crime, even if they had good intentions. Stedman will have you rooting for the characters you love and biting your nails to find out their fate.

Fairy Tale Friday

     Sometimes being a prince is not all it's cracked up to be. Sure, you might live a life of luxury, but, indeed, everyone has their own trials and tribulations! The princesses each have their own particular tale of bravery and derring-do, but alas, all of the princes are mere side-notes, lumped under the single name of "charming." Imagine being the subject of scurrilous and humiliating tales bruited about by impertinent and mocking minstrels! These are the adventures of a motley crew of more (or less) charming princes who set out to prove themselves as heroes, once and for all! Hilarious and swashbuckling!

Series in Order Thus Far:

#1: The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by: Christopher Healy 978006211758

#2: The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle 

by: Christopher Healy 9780062118455

Wild by: Cheryl Strayed

Book of the Day: 

Wild by: Cheryl Strayed

   After many weeks of admiring the cover of Wild as it sat on the best-seller shelf, I finally decided to find out if it would live up to the hype or not.

   It does.

     Propelled by the death of her mother and a failing marriage, Cheryl decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail having never hiked before. Carrying an overstuffed hiker's backpack and wearing boots a size too small, she begins her journey completely inexperienced. Throughout the entire memoir I found myself absorbed in the details of her hike. Cheryl writes with the perfect combination of blunt honesty and humor. Whether she's writing about the blisters forming on her feet, or about the eccentric people she meets along the way, Cheryl Strayed will keep readers enthralled. I suspect Wild will become a modern classic right alongside Bill Bryson and Jon Krakauer.

Fairy Tale Friday

     Fairy tales never seem to get old, probably because they're so much fun. In honor of our favorite fairy tales, every Friday for the next month, the Book House blog will be featuring Fairy Tale Friday. 

   This week we'd like to share with our readers The American Fairy Trilogy by: Sarah Zettel.

    These are the adventures of Callie LeRoux, who has been hiding in plain sight in a small town in Kansas. When the Dust Bowl Descends, and her mother disappears, Callie is forced to go in search of the secrets of her past. A thrilling fantasy adventure set in the 1930's!
                                  Book One: Dust Girl

Book Two: Golden Girl 

Book Three: Has yet to be released! 

      (But we're anxiously waiting for it.)

Mom & Me & Mom by: Maya Angelou

     At 85 years old, Maya Angelou lives the life of a true Renaissance woman. She's written about her life in a series of autobiographies, beginning with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, in which Maya Angelou recalls growing up in the South and being exposed to racism at an early age.     In her seventh autobiography, Mom & Me & Mom,  Angelou writes in depth about her mother Vivian Baxter and the relationship they shared.
     Having lived with her paternal grandmother until the age of 13, Maya Angelou wasn't comfortable with the idea of moving in with her mother. Instead of calling Vivian Baxter "mother", Angelou referred to her as Lady. The nickname stuck and soon enough everyone who knew Vivian Baxter began to call her Lady.
     The stories Angelou shares about Lady illustrate her unwavering loyalty to her children and her astonishing bravery. Mom & Me & Mom is a reflection of the power of motherhood written with Maya Angelou's classic, lyrical prose. 

Stern Men by: Elizabeth Gilbert

  Book of the Day:

Stern Men by: Elizabeth Gilbert

       If you can't wait for Elizabeth Gilbert's new novel, Signature of All Things, than you might want to pick up Gilbert's first novel, Stern Men. Originally published in 2000, there's been talk of Stern Men going out of print. So when my friend Hannah and I spotted a copy in a used bookstore in Salem, Massachusetts, I told her she had to grab it. Not knowing if the rumors are true or not, I couldn't let her pass up the chance to read such a great book.
       The sharing doesn't stop there. Fellow co-worker, Rick, has also picked up a copy to bring on an upcoming vacation to New England.
        Truth be told, I can't stop recommending Stern Men. 

        Off the coast of Maine, between Fort Niles Island and Courne Have Island a feud has been brewing for decades over the ocean that lies between the island. The local lobstermen all want to fish in the sweet spot of ocean water. But as the saying goes, you can't always get what you want.
          To Ruth Thomas, Fort Niles is home. She's grown up in two homes, her first home being with her stubborn father. Her second home being with the Pommeroy's large, but loving, family of boys and a big-hearted Mrs. Pommeroy. Ruth knows how to be tough, it's in her blood. When you have a father who's a lobstermen, you quickly learn how to work hard and get what you want. Even Mrs. Pommeroy's motherly care can't smooth out Ruth's spitfire personality.
           Determined to rebel against her mother, Ruth throws away her education at a fancy boarding school at the age of 18 and sets off to be a stern man. Earning a spot on a lobstering boat is hard enough as it is, but being a young woman makes it even harder when the local lobstermen refuse to break out of their old ways. If any girl can earn a spot on a lobstering boat, it'd be Ruth Thomas.
        She may not be a romantic, but that won't stop Ruth from running into love despite the consequences. The same way being a woman won't stop her from calling herself a stern man.

     Elizabeth Gilbert has crafted a smart novel with a dash of romance. While Gilbert will satisfy your reading cravings, she'll leave you be longing for lobster. 
         




     

The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by: Anton DiSclafani

        The Book House Book of the Day: 

The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by: Anton DiSclafani

   Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls is without a doubt, the best novel I've read so far this summer. Thea Atwell's role in a family tragedy has her sent away to Yonahlossee in the middle of the Great Depression. She's always been a talented rider after spending years practicing on her pony, Sasi. But Thea doesn't want to go to camp, she wants to stay close to her family in Florida. Growing up, family was all Thea had. Living on a secluded citrus farm meant never coming into contact with the outside world. Thea didn't have friends, didn't go to a public school. Instead her brother and twin, Sam, and her were home-schooled. Who needs friends when you have a twin?
          As she reaches young-adulthood, Thea starts to notice physical and mental changes. Though Thea isn't the only one to notice these changes. There's a person watching from the sidelines who may just break her family apart.
       While Thea has made her share of new friends, she's still careful about how much she reveals about herself. Not all the girls at Yonahlossee are loyal to each other and in a camp full of girls, secrets and rumors are bound to spread.
     Mrs. Holmes doesn't make life easy for Thea either. Her and her husband, Mr. Holmes, run the camp together. Thea can't read Mrs. Holmes like she can most people. She can never tell when Mrs. Holmes is impressed or displeased with her. When Thea begins to teach the Holmes children how to ride horses, Thea decides that Mr. and Mrs. Holmes simply aren't right together. His soft demeanor is no match for her stoic nature. Maybe Mr. Holmes' demeanor is the reason why Thea finds herself enjoying his presence. Or maybe it's because of his handsome, slender figure. Whatever the reason, Thea begins enjoying Yonahlossee more and more. She slowly finds herself disconnecting from her past and riding into an uncertain future. 
        This novel has everything I could ask for in a book. A perfect blend of seduction, suspense, history, and excellent writing. This coming of age tale will have you holding on tight until the end.
     
          The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls is also featured the Indie Bestseller list.

Caldecott Medal 75th Anniversary

      In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Caldecott Medal, The Little
Book House employees have put together a window display full of Caldecott winners and honorees that will be on display for the rest of the summer.
       While admiring my co-worker's...well...work, I began to think about my favorite Caldecott books. Which lead me to ask some of my co-workers what their favorites are.
  Here are our Caldecott picks!

Rachel:  As manager of the Little Book House, Rachel has read tons of great children's book. She is the Little Book House guru. When I asked what her favorite Caldecott winner/honoree book is, I instantly knew I was being unfair. If you ask a bookseller what their favorite book is you'll never get just one title. But Rachel told me her heart is torn between The Snowy Day by: Ezra Jack Keats and  Umbrella by: Taro Yashima, which she read as a child. Both beautiful, classic tales.

Khahilia: I love Khai's taste in books. She reads the most interesting things! It only seemed fitting that she would choose Anansi the Spider: A Tale from Ashanti by: Gerald McDermott. Anansi is rich in traditional West African designs and full of bold color. It's gorgeous both in the story and the illustrations.

Alexis: Anyone who knows Alexis knows that she has a spunky, outgoing personality. Her passion for books is evident. I wasn't the least bit surprised when she chose Where the Wild Things Are by: Maurice Sendak as one of her favorite Caldecott winners. While the movie may have given Where the Wild Things Are a popularity boost, it doesn't compare to sitting down and reading about Max's adventures.

Rick: Rick and I often talk about our love for New England and nature. So his choice, Make Way for Ducklings by: Robert McCloskey, wasn't surprising either. In fact, after talking to my co-workers, I realize that we all picked books that seem to reflect some part of our personalities.

          As for me, I will always love Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type by: Doreen Cronin which tells the story about a group of literate cows that type up a list of demands that the farmer needs to fulfill if he wants the cows to produce anymore milk.

I'm sure my co-workers weren't surprised.

In addition to Caldecott winners/honorees, the Little Book House has stocked up on a great selection of summer reading books. If you don't have time to browse, you can call us at (518) 489-4761 and ask us to put aside a copy of the book you're looking for. If we don't have the book you're looking for in stock, we'd be more than happy to order it for you! It usually only takes a few business days for books to arrive.

       

Bookseller's Bookshelf: Marggie

Here's what Marggie has lined up to read next:

The Prayer Room by Shanthi Sekaran

This novel, for fans of Jhumpa Lahiri and Chitra Divakaruna, is about a British English professor, his Indian bride and their triplets adjusting to life in Sacramento, California, in 1974.

The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman by Nancy Marie Brown

This book tells the true story of Gudrid, who saled from Iceland to Newfoundland 500 years before Columbus.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This is a novel set in 1862 Mississippi and told through the voices of three unforgettable women.

Jesus Was a Liberal by Rev. Scotty McLennan, Dean of Religious Life at Stanford

According to Marcus Borg, this is "an immensely readable book that reclaims the honorable word 'liberal' for a vision of Christianity that is persuasive, compelling, and faithful."

Bookseller's Bookshelf: Erin

I'm reading two books at the moment: one old, and one new.

The old one is Frank Conroy's Body and Soul, a novel that follows piano prodigy Claude Rawlings as he climbs from humble beginnings to stardom in 1950s New York City. It's definitely not a fast moving book, yet it is positively engrossing. Filled with the minutiae of everyday life and peppered with bursts of fascinating musical discussion, Conroy takes a rags-to-riches tale that could be commonplace and dull and transforms it into a story to be savored. This book is actually from the 1990s and no longer on our shelves here at the Book House, but it's still available. Ask and we'll get it for you!


As for the new one, I just picked up a reader's copy of Love Begins in Winter, a forthcoming collection of short stories by Simon van Booy. I'm just a few pages in, but I can tell I won't be putting this one aside. In beautiful, clear prose, van Booy tells ordinary stories as if they're infused with magic. The opening story, about a world-famous cellist, has such sudden and universal truths about life that I am absolutely intrigued to read more. Look for it coming in May!