The full title of this amazing book is Aviary Wonders Inc. (Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual) Renewing the World's Bird Supply Since 2031. The narrator of this story first developed his passion for birds and bird watching while working at his family's logging business (the irony is intentional.) He is no longer logging; he now runs a company that builds birds. After searching out the best engineers, biologists and artists to work for him, he launched the company in 2031 and they have struggled to keep up with demand ever since.
Ever since she was little, Liz preferred jeans to dresses, action figures to dolls, and sports to dress-up. Adults and other kids told her this made her a tomboy. Seeing the way the mass media marketed to girls and told them how they should look and behave, Liz was fine with not falling into the “girly” category. But the tomboy label wasn’t easy to fit into either. Eschewed by girls who didn’t understand her jeans and baseball caps, and belittled by boys who didn’t want to play with a “girl” (especially in front of other boys), Liz had trouble finding her place.
The beginning of the end of Romanov rule of Russia began with the ascension of Nicholas II. Ill prepared for the crown by his father, Nicholas depended heavily on his new wife Alexandra (married under the shadow of the death of Nicholas’ father their marriage was seen as a curse by the Russian people). Problems for the Romanovs multiplied when Alexandra, after several difficult pregnancies, produced only female heirs leaving the line of succession unsure.
Frank Herbert’s (mostly) beloved Dune series was turned into a train wreck spectacle in the 1984 version directed by David Lynch. Personally, I love that train wreck, but it has many detractors. So, imagine if Dune was instead made by eccentric Chilean/French director Alejandro Jodorowsky during the crazy 1970’s. He lined up a cast and crew like no other: Orson Welles as the evil Baron. Salvador Dali as the Emperor. Mick Jagger in the role later occupied by Sting. It was to be scored by Pink Floyd. Throw in Dan O’Bannon and H.R.
A year after the horrific rape and murder of his one true love, Ignatius Perrish got drunk, did terrible things, and woke up the next morning with horns growing from his forehead. Horns that compel others to confess their true, worst thoughts, and makes them seek permission to do the terrible things they always wanted to do. Ig may resemble a demon, but real demons reside everywhere, much to his horror.
Curiosity didn't kill the cat, but it did drive Caroline Paul more than a little bonkers. Animal lovers, especially those devoted to their kitties, will blaze through Lost Catwith lots of laughs and perhaps a tear or two. (Warning: A dear pet dies, but not the title feline. That chapter is touching but emotional.)
Out of desperation, Saboor, who is a poor farmer in Afghanistan, sells his three year old daughter, Pari, to a wealthy couple living in Kabul. Pari's older brother, Abdullah, is completely distraught over the loss of his beloved sister. Pari grows up, not knowing or remembering her biological family, but a letter left for her by her deceased uncle reveals the details of the adoption and Pari is then able to search for the family she didn't know existed. A reunion occurs, but perhaps doesn't have the happy ending one might have hoped for. Hosseini is a wonderful storyteller.
In the conclusion of the Deadly Reunion series, investigative reporter Jillian Carter has decided it is finally time to come out of hiding and return home after 10 years on the run. On the night of her high school graduation Jillian witnessed a murder committed by her boyfriend's uncle who just happens to be a state senator. Knowing that she was next on the senator's hit list she ran and has been in hiding ever since. Jillian is exhausted from looking over her shoulder and frustrated by the stress of being hyper-viligant for all of this time knowing that the senator will n
It's 1986 and five year old Saroo has made a last minute decision to accompany his older brother on a short train trip to a nearby town in rural India. Instructed to wait on the platform by his older brother, young Saroo is scared and confused when his older brother fails to return in the specified time. Not sure what to do next, he hops onto a waiting train, taking him far away from his family.
In this memoir, Will Schwalbe looks back on the last years with his mother, Mary Anne. When Mary Anne is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Will and his mother use books as a meaningful way to connect with each other and talk about life and death and everything in-between. Will, a former publisher, and Mary Anne, a life-long reader, look at a variety of literature for their book club. The club is informally held in waiting rooms and during Mary Anne's treatments.
