Thursday, January 28, 2010

Orwell and the Spanish Civil War


George Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia" is a book detailing George Orwell's experience in the Spanish Civil war. His account shows the difficulties and hardships he and the army he was with had to deal with. It shows how Orwell had to deal with the differences between the realities of political power struggles and his own ideals. It may be one of the best books about the Spanish Civil War. Buy it, read it, and let us know what you think!

Friday, January 22, 2010

A Journey of Healing

This one was picked out by one of the staff because of how quickly it's been going out the door. "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: A Novel" By Jonathan Safran Foer, is about a boy's adventure through New York. Oskar has a key that belonged to his father, who died in the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks. Oskar travels through the five boroughs looking for the lock that the key goes to. The journey ends up connecting him to other survivors and helps heal his pain and others. Pick up this book, read it, and let us know what you thought.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010


Here is a book we recently got out of a batch of Houghton Mifflin. If you are very devout or an athiest, you can find value in "The God  Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. This book argues against the belief in a supreme being using well thought out arguments and humor. He makes the case that taken to extremes, faith can not only be irrational but deadly.

Friday, January 15, 2010

How Doctors Think


"How Doctors Think" by Jerome Groopman M.D. is a book that takes a look at the doctor-patient relationship. It has interesting insights into the mind of the doctor. Why do they make the decisions they make? How you as a patient can help prevent rash decisions and snap judgments. Time said that it is "Must reading for every physician who cares for patients and every patient who wishes to get the best care." If you have read this book, let us know what you thought in the comments.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010



Today I've got another classic for you guys. "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf. It's one of Virginia Woolf's best known novels telling the story of the preporation of a party hosted by Clarissa Dalloway. It uses her thoughts and momories to construct a picture of her life. If you have read this book, let people know what you thought about it!

Friday, January 8, 2010

What would you do on a boat with a Tiger?


Yann Martel's "The Life of Pi" is a book about a boy named Pi Patel. Pi is the son of a zookeeper who enjoys the stories and practices of many religions. While moving to the United States on a cargo ship, a disaster happens as the boat he is traveling on sinks. Pi ends up on a life boat with many animals including a large tiger. What happens to Pi and all of the animals on the lifeboat in the middle of the ocean? Read the book and find out! If you have read it, let people know what you thought of it by commenting.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

"The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger is a love story between a time traveling librarian and an artist. Both characters are put into many situations that test the bonds of their love. This was made into a motion picture released in August of 2009. Try this book out and let us know what you think. If you have already read this, please comment on this and let others know what you thought.