Cod: A Biography of the fish that Changed the World
by Mark Kurlansky
[Book]
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This book will, of course, teach you a fair amount about codfish, but it will also teach you a great deal about history. As it turns out, the history of cod fisheries and the the trade in salted cod have had an enormous impact on world events, playing a crucial role in the slave trade, the exploration of the New World, and the American Revolutionary War. Mr. Kurlansky’s writing is engaging; he will make you excited about cod.
Reviewed by Ben
Tagged: Food, History, Non-fiction
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Are you the sort of person who’s interested in Gilberto Gil, Stax Records, Roger Troutman, John Coltrane, J Dilla or the history of the Wah-Wah pedal? If you’ve answered in the affirmative, you ought to be investigating Waxpoetics. Luckily for you, Forbes has a subscription! This magazine is packed with soul, jazz, funk, Tropicalia and hip-hop music stories. Furthermore, recent issues are accompanied by a 7″ vinyl record.
Reviewed by Jason
Tagged: Hip-Hop, Music, Soul music
Stuff : Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things
by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee
[Book]
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This is a fascinating account of how people get to the point that their living space is unlivable because of the sheer volume of possessions they can’t manage to get rid of. The authors explore case histories and the psychological and neurological reasons behind hoarding behavior. There’s a little bit of someone you know in here.
Reviewed by Faith
Tagged: Non-fiction, Psychology
The Girl Who Chased the Moon : A Novel
by Sarah Addison Allen
[Book]
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Seventeen-year-old, Emily Benedict, comes to live with her grandfather following the death of her mother. Hoping to solve the mysteries of her mother’s childhood, Emily soon meets the many colorful characters of Mullaby, North Carolina. There are many supernatural happenings including: mood changing wallpaper, dancing lights in the backyards, and the smell of pastries that can bring people home from afar. A satisfying and magical read.
Reviewed by Jude
Tagged: Fantasy, Fiction
Noah’s Compass
by Anne Tyler
[Book]
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In this humorous tale, Liam Pennywell finds himself in a hospital, not knowing how he got there and grappling for memories. In a wonderful tale of a life contracted and then expanded, we have an unlikely hero – the schmucky father and ex-husband who finally becomes beloved.
Reviewed by Sara
Tagged: Fiction, Humor, Psychological fiction
The Pillars of the Earth
by Ken Follett
[Book]
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Set in 12th-century England, the narrative concerns the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. The ambitions of three men merge, conflict and collide through four decades during which social and political upheaval and the internal politics of the church affect the progress of the cathedral and the fortunes of the protagonists.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction, Historical fiction
Inside Job
by Connie Willis
[Book]
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Willis, one of sci-fi’s most spirited writers, rounds on the New Age; pays tribute to a great, skeptical journalist, and upends doubters and fakes alike. Unexpected ending.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction, Science fiction
The Greener Shore : A Novel of the Druids of Hibernia
by Morgan Llywelyn
[Book]
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Fleeing the destruction of the Sacred Grove by the invading Roman army, Ainvar the druid and the remnants of his clan flee Gaul to settle in Hibernia, where they find other Celts and druids. Along with his wife, Briga, a powerful druid in her own right, he sets out to rebuild their lives in a new homeland which is beautiful and mystical like the wanderers who are drawn to it. Sequel to The Druids.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction, Historical fiction
Things Invisible To See
by Nancy Willard
[Book]
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A freak accident leaves Clare Bishop paralyzed from the waist down, but with the ability to see the future, enter the bodies of animals, and talk with Death .
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fantasy, Fiction
Eating Heaven
by Jennie Shortridge
[Book]
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Eleanor Samuels, a lonely young woman who lives for food, finds her way toward family and love while taking care of her “Uncle” Benny. Very humorous and warm.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction
The Eyre Affair
by Jasper Fforde
[Book]
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Surreal and hilariously funny, this alternate history, the debut novel of British author Fforde, will appeal to lovers of zany genre work (think Douglas Adams) and lovers of classic literature alike. Set in 1985 in an alternate London, literature is (refreshingly) so important that you can get punished for forging Byronic verses. Then someone starts kidnapping literary characters from their manuscripts. Jane Eyre’s disappearance is particularly traumatic and Special Operative Thursday Next must stop this before it’s too late.
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction, Science fiction
The Djinn in the nightingale’s eye
by A.S. Byatt
[Book]
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A collection of fairy tales for adults. The title novella is on a middle-aged Englishwoman attending a writers’ conference in Turkey. She picks up an antique bottle and as she is washing it a djinn appears, offering to grant her three wishes. She is aware of the untoward consequences of hasty wish-making so after careful consideration, she asks for a younger body, then requests he make love to her. Very fun!
Reviewed by Forbes Library Staff
Tagged: Fiction, Short stories
