Our friend, Casey Cook, who is not only a talented artist, is in a band too. She sent me this very cool performance art piece she did with Harrison Haynes. Unfortunately I can't embed it in my blog so here is the link. It is worth letting it load up and watch. I thought it was really clever.
Rhoda Janzen: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home
Memoir of a women returning home to her roots after her husband leaves her for another guy. Laugh out loud at times, a little long winded at others. Honest reflection of how she got to where she did.
Gail Collins: When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present
Finally finished. LOVED. Thought provoking, well researched, all generations should read.
Philip Roth: The Humbling
I am a huge fan of Roth. Whether you like his topics or not, he is such an incredible writer. The Humbling is really a short story about an actor in his 60's frustrated by his inability to perform. Interesting and haunting. If you like Roth, read the book.
Jeannette Walls: Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel
After the success of The Glass Castle, which I loved I felt compelled to read this book. Written in first person as Wall's grandmother by learning countless stories from her mother. Her grandma's life. Certainly interesting and historical in some sense but just not that deep. Read Angle of Repose by Stegner for a real literary piece on Grandparents.
Allen Jones: The Rat That Got Away: A Bronx Memoir
Fantastic memoir about getting out of the Bronx, alive. A must read.
Michelle Huneven: Blame: A Novel
Page turner. Young professor, alcoholic, wakes up after a black out to find she murdered someone while drunk. Her life and her recovery. Quite a novel.
Jonathan Tropper: This Is Where I Leave You
Loved it. Laugh out loud hilarious. Family angst at its best.
Maria Murnane: Perfect on Paper: The (Mis)adventures of Waverly Bryson
First novel for all women out there. Really well done.
Mark Oliver Everett: Things the Grandchildren Should Know
If you love the Eels, a must read. Best music autobiography I have read.
Cathy Marie Buchanan: The Day the Falls Stood Still
Was sent the book from a publisher. I tried, I really did. Just not that engaging. Love story set around Niagara Falls around WWI. The language just didn't pull me at me. I bailed half way in.
Kate Morton: The House at Riverton: A Novel
Well written page turning family secret saga through the eyes of the ladies maid. Movie material. Beach read.
Dave Eggers: Zeitoun
Wow. A must read. Family that lived through Katrina and continues to live in New Orleans.
Awista Ayub: However Tall the Mountain: A Dream, Eight Girls, and a Journey Home
8 girls journey from Afghanistan to play soccer and train in the states. Great concept, falls flat.
Lorrie Moore: A Gate at the Stairs
An absolute worthy read.
Dean Wareham: Black Postcards: A Memoir
Probably won't finish the book but if you are a fan of Luna, Galaxie 500 or Dean and Britta..this is the book for you. Actually, a really well written memoir of life in the music industry in a time that no longer exists, early 80's.
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