Set sail for murder

Monday, October 18, 2010

Carring for the world, one school at a time


September's Booklover's Book Discussion group at the Tipp City Library discussed Three Cups of Tea. This book has been on the bestseller list for what, 3 years now? "CARE, a humanitarian organization, operates 300 schools in Afghanistan, and not one has been burned by the Taliban." Greg Mortenson, of “Three Cups of Tea” fame, has overseen the building of 145 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan and operates dozens more in tents or rented buildings — and he says that not one has been destroyed by the Taliban either.

Wednesday Sisters

Wednesday Sisters is the book for discussion in October for the Booklover's group. Next meeting is October 25 at 7 p.m. at the Tipp City Library. I would like to have some books at the meeting for preview of next year's list. Sign up for the Booklover's booklist on the library website to see the next year's ballot for the group.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Homeland Security Tale

     Dave Eggers has written a powerful book about Katrina and New Orleans and the mess that can happen when all hell breaks lose. Dave Eggers, the writer of "A Heartbreaking Book of Staggering Genius" hears the tale of a Muslim man who was detained at the Hunt Correctional Center by the FEMA forces and decides to follow up with his whole story in the book, Zeitoun.
     Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian American citizen, is a painting contractor in New Orleans who own various properties that he rents. Staying behind after the hurricane hit, he is able to navigate the streets in his canoe, looking for people and dogs in distress. He and his friends draw the suspicion of FEMA authorities looking for terrorists and eventually they all end up in Camp Greyhound without a phone call or legal counsel. A sad look at what fear can drive authorities in this country to do when disaster strikes.
     The Zeitoun Foundation was created in 2009 with the funds coming from the sale of this book by Dave Eggers. This book has won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for nonfiction. I was astounded by the story and humbled by the man's goodness. I hope it is read by many.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

BookBrowse added to Tipp Library's databases

Tipp City Library has added BookBrowse to their subscriptions and I am trying to see what BookBrowse has to offer readers. Check out the readalike offerings at the end of a book summary and review. I was introduced to Jonathan Tropper this past winter, and found his book, This is Where I Leave You, delightful. After immersing myself in dark novels, I need a little lighter fare. From the BookBrowse feature on Tropper's novel I find a list of readalikes at the end:
Read-Alikes:


A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
The Ask by Sam Lipsyte
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall
Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris

Interesting, now I have to read The Lonely Polygamist, I think Julie has made this the Tipp City read all my herself, she has recommended it to everyone. Now she has asked for my opinion. Since I am reading Freedom by Jonathan Frazen right now it might take a while to get to it. I like David Sedaris, but I like his performances the best. I caught a small introduction to Alexander McCall Smith's latest, Corduroy Mansions and found myself laughing out loud so I do want to get back to that when I can. Tell me what you like about BookBrowse.