books du jour Archives - Page 9 of 14

Author du Jour: Susan Benjamin

09/28/2016 by Frederic Colier

Author du Jour: Susan Benjamin, “Sweet as Sin.”

(Prometheus Books, P 320, $18.00)

I cannot imagine dentists liking this book, or even less buying it. In fact it is probably number one on their list of banned books. I would, however, recommend it to them, just to better know their enemies. “Sweet as Sin,” is all about candies. Sweet and sugary. Sticky and addictive. The very stuff your teeth in a long-term relationship dislike but which constantly hits the sweet spot on your taste buds. I do not know of any kid or adult who do not enjoy candies, even surgarless ones.

Benjamin is a candy specialist, and she has written an incredible journey through the evolution of confections. It is not just a history of candies, but also an almanac filled with intoxicating stories of the country, starting with Native American and the little-known son of a slave woman. Like all good candies, the book has a lingering flavor, which will make you ponder about the changing quality of our palate through time. Why for some generations eating barks, roots and bugs were considered treats, whereas now candies have to be coated with layers of sugar before anyone glance at it or even considers sucking on them? At heart, “Sweet as Sin” is an unwrapped story of the evolution of the American society, and of the development of gustatory passions, plus the invention of the concept of lots and lots of sticky fingers. Can you say the US has a sweet tooth?

Author du Jour: Ariel Leve

09/23/2016 by Frederic Colier

“An Abbreviated Life”
by Ariel Leve
Harper
($26.99, 274 pages)

If you think you had it rough in childhood, think again. Once in a while a memoir shows up and has a way to turn your insides out. “An Abbreviated Life” is not for the faint of heart. Ariel Leve portrays perhaps the most pervasive aspect of childhood, hers in this case, growing up with unstable parents, in this case, a parent — her mother, who she describes as “ a poet, an artist, a self-appointed troublemaker and attention seeker.” In other words, a brutal cocktail guaranteeing to lead to shaky foundation and to make the rooms spin.

And instability is what Ariel confronts on a daily roller-coaster of emotional tug of war dance. The most harrowing aspect of her memoir is when she recognizes that her own life, years after her mother’s death, is still been impacted by the relationship. Sound familiar? Who has not, you may say? Leve’s gripping tortured confessions are not sentimental catharsis, aimed at coaxing the reader or even giving them an insight into the horror of an warped childhood. Though the memoir take you to the edge of the unbearable at time when you have to take a deep breath before flicking the next page, it is also an honest investigation of trauma. How to be knowing that life could have been otherwise but has molded you in a way that entrapped you and this with complete awareness? If your heart does not break at this stage . . . nothing will. This testimony makes a great argument for parenting licensing.

Author du Jour: Mark Noce

09/22/201609/22/2016 by Frederic Colier

“Between Two Fires”
by Mark Noce
Thomas Dunne Books
($25.99, 327 pages)

This book will appeal to the fans of Game of Thrones. Here, the story of “Between Two Fires” takes place in 597 when Saxon Barbarians are about to destroy medieval Wales. So what? you may say. Just another fictionalized slice of history. But the reason the book made it to Author du Jour page lies in the strength of its main character, Lady Branwen. We are miles away from giants with inflated biceps performing miraculous acts. Noce has drawn a fine character. She is a young woman in a world of fierce warriors, reminding me very much of Boudica when she organized her uprising against the Romans. Branwen is courageous and determined, which always makes for captivating hero. Lady Branwen seeks unity to push back the enemy, but the trajectory get skewed when she falls for a man she cannot have, opening a good emotional dilemma. She sees herself forced to choose between her people, her nation, and the man she loves . . .

Author du Jour: Catherine Ryan Hyde

09/20/2016 by Frederic Colier

“Leaving Blyhe River” by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Lake Union
($14.95, 314 pages)

You may not remember who C. R. Hyde is, but suffices to tell you that she is the author of “Pay it Forward,” which was adapted later into a film with Kevin Spacey, for you to say “of course.” This new story takes place in the Blythe River National Wilderness, which I discovered is located in California.

There, a young teenager, Ethan, goes looking for his missing father, after he disappeared from his cabin, and rangers decided to abandon their rescue mission to find him. Totally unprepared, Ethan ventures nonetheless into the wilderness and quickly learn the roughness of nature: the punishing sun, the swirling rapids, and the strength and resilience derived from pushing oneself past one’s limits . . . but the story is not an exploration of one’s courage in the face of adversity, but rather a true confrontation regarding forgiveness, as Ethan must decide whether or not his father is worth to be saved at all. From from being a walk in the park, “Leaving Blythe River” meanders with splendor through nature’s brutality.

Author du Jour: Leigh Stein

09/19/2016 by Frederic Colier

“Land of Enchantment” by Leigh Stein
Penguin Random House
($22.00, 212 pages)

Set in the New Mexico, “Land of Enchantment,” is a riveting coming-of-age memoir about young love and its impact. The story opens with the author receiving a phone call from her brother to tell that her ex-boyfriend, Jason, has been killed in road accident. Jason’s death causes our protagonist to recall the difficult life they shared together and forces her to contemplate tough questions while grieving. How is it possible to fall in love with someone who causes so much pain? Why is it so hard to walk away from this type of love? How can love be so destructive? The engaging memoir traces the psychological evolution of an abusive relationship, while raising larger issues. Why are the women who step forward so often shamed and bullied?

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