We’re
crazy about books. We met over
books. We socialize around
books. We converse about books (ad
nauseam). Jean, as a school
librarian, makes her living from books.
So when the call came out for some TLNA newsletter column ideas, we
jumped at the chance to write about books.
Many
bookish folks live within the boundaries of the Tenney-Lapham
neighborhood. Our neighborhood
proudly houses librarians, bookstore owners, writers, publishers, and several
active book groups. In this column
we plan to feature some of our bookish neighbors and to offer some reading
suggestions uncovered through our 2-person, Xtreme reading group.
We would
also like to hear from you. Please
e-mail us and let us know about folks on your block or in your household with
interesting book-related stories.
We are interested in your book recommendations too.
Here are a
few of ours:
How to
Be Good by Nick Hornsby (2001)
Narrated by
Kate Carr, physician, parent, and spouse of newspaper columnist, David
Carr. Kate has always considered
herself a “good” person.
After admitting infidelity, asking for a divorce, and wanting her
husband to change, David takes “good” to a whole new level. The novel is part marital comedy and
part social commentary (JD).
No Name
by Wilkie Collins (1873)
This book
was written in 1873. YES,
1873. No Name is one of the
most feminist pieces of literature I have ever read and reread… (AR)
Ava’s
Man by Rick Bragg (2001)
This book
is author Rick Bragg’s tribute to his grandfather and, as a result, to
his grandmother and his rich southern heritage as well. (AR)
Color of
My Words by Lynn Joseph (2000)
Twelve-year-old
Ana Rosa relies on her writing and her older brother to help her understand
what is happening in her Dominican Republic village. A sparse, powerful coming of age story. (JD)
Disappointment
of the Quarter
White
Oleander by Janet Fitch (1999)
We were in
different parts of the world when we simultaneously decided to stop reading
this book. Even more remarkable,
we both shut the book for good around page 105.
Write us
at: rulseh@aol.com or jadunn@madison.k12.wi.us
-
Jean Dunn and Ann
Rulseh