Recently escaped from Azkaban, this Browncoat enjoys beers, books and bumming through local areas playing at tourist. Her reading interests are constantly at war, from trenchant historical and science works to the bewitching allure of YA fantasy and science fiction.
Caitlin's Picks:
The classic enemies-to-lovers tale gets turned on its head with Hogles’s witty and charming novel, as our warring couple are already engaged! Naomi, our quirky “heroine”, has a bit of a problem, and it is her perfect fiancé, Nicholas. The small catch: whoever breaks the engagement has to pay wedding costs. Let the battle begin. This novel is a great escape-from-reality read. Even playing into the common trope, Hogle keeps it engaging, with hijinks, humor and great chemistry between our battling couple. The dialogue is witty and snarky. Be prepared to laugh out loud. ~ Caitlin
Perhaps one of the most controversial and debated books written, Lolita outraged readers with its characters and content becoming not only a literary classic but spawning the idea of the "Lolita". But as Weinman reveals with diligent research and an empathetic narrative, perhaps one of the heart-rending aspects of this novel was its inspiration which was drawn from the actual tragic nightmare faced by Sally Horner. I was riveted and yet, sobered as Weinman delivers a novel that is more than just true-crime but instead also provides a compassionate look about the horrors faced by a young girl and its literary impact on Nabokov's classic.
From the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire to the conditions described in Sinclair's The Jungle, historically we have seen a constant struggle between industry and safe working conditions, usually at the cost of human lives. Born in the late 20th century with labor laws and OSHA, it was only through this well-researched study into the lives of the "shining girls" from the radium-dial factories did I realize just how woefully uninformed I was. Moore provides a haunting narrative into the lives of these young women, combining a riveting account with compassion and respect. She not only acknowledges their strengths, but also their lasting impact resulting from the "Radium Girls" case, still felt even to this day.
In a world that bombards us with ideals of beauty through the media, photographer Noroc has rehabilitated that term. All women struggle with societal standards, whether they be pressures to be modest and cover up, or the reverse, to "pretty up." Noroc's portraits of women from around the globe -- from young girls to matrons, mothers and sisters; from Guatemala to North Korea-allow us to reevaluate the term by considering their lives. Each photo comes with a unique caption; making the biggest impression on me was a son's proud comment on his mother (Nepal) at the bottom of page 239. This book is gorgeous and inspiring.
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I finished my Simon Winchester binge with this one, his most recent, and without a doubt it’s not only my favorite, but also one of the better books I have read. Each chapter, devoted to a specific subject, reads with the economy of a self-contained short story, while giving us a better understanding of the region as a whole. From surfing and volcanoes to the Bikini Atoll and the transistor radio, Winchester takes on the daunting task of telling the story of the enormous Pacific and performs excellently
Perhaps more than in any other nation, Americans have a variety of distinct cultural identities, based on how and where we were nurtured and raised. No matter where we travel or live, these stay with us. In his memoir, Vance vividly describes his childhood growing up in Appalachia. Poverty, addiction, and abuse are woven together to create a striking account of this region. Vance’s honesty, both about his own family’s saga and Appalachia’s decline, provoked me to take a genuine look at a part of America I had not previously examined, and its influence on the rest of our country.
In 1846, a wagon-train of 87 pioneers traveled westward in search of a better life. Only 48 of them would survive. While traveling this route was common, the party faced unusual circumstances leading to tragedy and horror. Brown introduces us to Sarah Graves, a young bride with her family. His focus on Sarah gives the reader a feeling of empathy and an intimate understanding of the journey, breathing life into an event marked by brutality, while maintaining a historian’s perspective. Far beyond educating the reader, Brown creates a unique understanding of the group and the humanity of its members.
Effectively combining historical research and an engaging narrative, Schiff creates a book where fact and storytelling intertwine making this book both informative and captivating. It reads as suspence-filled fiction, yet shows an unfliching look at the real terror and bad blood circulating in Salem township.
Combining investigative journalism and personal observation, Colbert explores the world's five crucial and chaotic extinction events, and presents an ongoing sixth event, the Holocene Extinction. While applying the latest scientific data and theory, Kolbert maintains an informative and engaging narrative. She does not attempt to downplay either the situation on which she reports or her own responses in creating a satisfying and rewarding read. Highly recommended for fans of fiction and nonfiction alike!
Weir’s debut novel combines a hilarious personality with genius know-how to create his main character, Mark Watney. Fast-paced and magnetic, this book made me both hold my breath and laugh out loud. Remember, duck tape is magic and should be worshipped.
A young girl named Rosie Revere dreams of being an engineer, and with that the reader is off on a lyrical adventure following our young dreamer. Beaty's picture book, almost musical when read aloud and full of humorous misadventures, reinforces a positive message for young girls about overcoming failure and following one's passion. Beaty also features historical women related to the field of aviation, some well know and others not: Elisabth Thible and E. Lillian Todd stand side-by-side with Amelia Earhart and of course the book's namesake, Rosie the Riveter, a cultural icon of WWII. If you like this book, try the equally great follow up, Ada Twist, Scientist. Ages 5-7
Some of the greatest fictional horror stories are rooted in fact; in things that terrify us. Rabies has the highest morality rate of any disease on earth - 99.9%. With symptoms like aggression, hyperactivity, and hallucinations, it is no surprise that this disease has haunted and frightened humans for over four millennia. Wasik and Murphy do a great job of weaving together fact and fiction, history and myth to explain not just the scientific impact and historical cases, but this disease’s influence on popular culture around the world, even to this day. You will never look at a zombie movie the same way again. ~ Caitlin
Strayed held nothing back when she wrote this memoir. Her brutal honesty and heart-wrenching quotes caused me to love a book in a genre I usually don’t frequent. This book drew me in with its straightforward writing style and the author’s journey both outward and inward.
The Civil War was one of the most crucial periods in our nation’s history. Horrific and devastating, it reverberated through every aspect of American life. With detailed research and an abundance of evidence, Faust provides a harrowing glimpse at a previously overlooked repercussion of the war by focusing on how the violence and massive death toll shattered the fundamental understanding and acceptance of death and dying on the part of ordinary people. I was profoundly engaged and humbled by this perceptive look into the words and lives of a people so profoundly altered.
In this account of the men, women and children who were exiled to the colony of Molokai, Tayman, through the perspectives of its inhabitants, chronicles the history of the leper settlement as well as the disease’s impact on the Hawaiian Islands. These narratives reveal the failures and biases of a system that banished them, and the heartbreak of families torn apart. It is also a story of courage and the determination to survive against the odds.
Though relations between religious affiliations in the U.S. have a tricky and complicated history, a hallmark of this country has been its tolerance of the differences. However, there are instances when extremism has motivated horrific actions. Krakauer focuses on a double murder committed by two Mormon Fundamentalists claiming the command of God, creating a gripping narrative that provides a chilling and illuminating look, not only into this double murder but into the Mormon religion and the descent from religious belief into fanaticism and delusion.