Tag: Recommendation List (Page 1 of 2)

Picture Books for Peaceful Bedtimes

by Phoebe Guinn

Bedtime can be…a struggle. At the end of the day for any parent with young children, the idea of putting your children to sleep is almost bliss. Peace, quiet, and time for yourself. Bedtime books can be lifesavers in these situations, where kids can settle down, snuggle up, and get some much needed sleep. All of which makes finding books that you and your children enjoy even more important than one may think. It can be easy as a parent to look at the cover of a book and pick it up without knowing the impending doom of night after night of reading the same…not-so-good book. With this list, find the perfect bedtime books that won’t put you to sleep, too.

No, David! by David Shannon

With a Caldecott Honor under its belt, No, David! has become a fixture in households around the country for its quick and funky drawing style and light-hearted humor. Meet David, a typical young boy who just can not seem to keep out of trouble. This treasure is based on author David Shannon’s first autobiography that he wrote at just five years old. Delve into the sometimes chaotic world of No, David! with a little bit of humor and get ready for trouble!

Pirates Don’t Change Diapers by Melinda Long

In the sequel to How I Became a Pirate (which is arguably better than the original), David Shannon arrives again on this list for even more fantastic illustrations and with Melinda Long’s funny storytelling, this duo is bound to hit it out of the park. With a title that good, how can you pass it up? Jeremy and the crew are back at it again in the quest of babysitting his baby sister and (somehow) also finding treasure!

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang

Has your toddler ever been grumpy over absolutely nothing? This book is for you. Jim Panzee, the title monkey, is just having a grumpy day and can’t seem to get out of his sour mood. Follow this adorable character and his equally charming friends in the quest of not being so grumpy.

the Olivia series by Ian Falconer

Ian Falconer’s series of books details the life of Olivia, a young pig with a sassy attitude who might not be so different from most young human girls. Girls can relate to her and parents can laugh a all of her shenanigans and wild stories that seem oh-so-familiar. In the books, Olivia strives to be different and stand out against the crowd, her dreams filled with applause and encores from a packed audience. The Olivia books are charming, entertaining, and a joy to read with young girls.

the How Do Dinosaurs series by Jane Yolen

How Do Dinosaurs is great for young boys and girls who love dinosaurs and parents who want books in a series that have concepts such as love, friends, pets, school, bedtime, etc. With funny and beautiful illustrations, one can’t help but be sucked into this fun, not so imaginary world where dinosaurs rule.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Any explanation needed? Where The Wild Things Are is the PERFECT book for any child. It’s a classic, wonderful for both girls and boys, and a way for parents to reminisce about their own childhood. The story is magical, enjoyable, and has an ending to warm anyone’s heart. The art paired with the spectacular writing allows the reader (or readers) to be fully immersed in the story as if they are walking beside its main character, Max, all along. Let yourself go wild with this spectacular classic, bound to keep moving down throughout the generations.

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

I’ll end this list with one of my favorite children’s books I have read this summer, focusing on the best book of the series. Ada Twist, Scientist along with Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer are possibly the cutest children books I have ever had the privilege to read, and that is a lot coming from me, a person who probably says the word “cute” more times a day than I would like to admit. There is just something about these books that I cant help but adore–the way the rhyming in the books flows and creates such an amazing voice in the books is almost magical. The illustrations are unique and creative, and seem to have been done with care. I also love the adding of a main character of color in the series with Ada Twist, Scientist. The book seems to be the most “polished” book of the series, the story engages the reader, the colors in the illustrations are vibrant, and every child I have read it to adore it.

*     *     *

As my sixteenth birthday has been quickly approaching, I have been really thinking about my childhood and what has made me who I am. To this day, some of the best memories I have with my parents are reading books and singing bedtime songs with them before I went to bed when I was younger. It meant so much to me to just have some time with my mom or dad, even if it was just for a few minutes, and I want every child to have that special experience with their parent or parents, too. So, take some time tonight with your kids and let the know how much you love them with a warm blanket, lots of kisses, and a really good book.

Graphic Novel Guidance Vol. 3: Electric Boogaloo

Here are a few more titles you’ll find in our Graphic Novel section right now:

God Country: written by Donny Cates, art by Geoff Shaw

God CountryGod Country has one of the most fascinating concepts I have seen in a while. It tells the story of Roy Quinlan and his family, particularly his father Emmett, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. However, everything changes for the Quinlans when a magic sword falls from the sky in West Texas, and comes into Emmett’s possession. As long as Emmett is holding the sword, his Alzheimer’s is cured and all of his memories of his family return. However, the godlike beings to whom the sword belongs are coming for what is rightfully theirs, and Emmett is forced to fight for his memories. The story is fresh and interesting; it provides plenty of fun fantasy and action without giving up the soul at the center: the story of a family and a man who is struggling with the reality of his illness. The art style in God Country reflects the duality of the plot perfectly. The bleak, open landscapes of Texas contrast with Shaw’s fantastical concepts of the realms of the gods. Overall, God Country delivers emotion and spectacle in the five parts contained in this single volume.

Superman: American Alien: written by Max Landis; art by Nick Dragotta, Tommy Lee Edwards, Joelle Jones, Jae Lee, Francis Manapul, Jonathan Case, and Jock
american alienThe tagline of this volume, printed in large letters on the back cover, is quite unusual for a Superman comic:
“THIS IS NOT A SUPERMAN COMIC”

And yet, the tag describes it perfectly. American Alien takes the classic Superman story and shifts the focus to Clark Kent’s inner struggle with his own nature and his place in the world. How does it feel to be an alien? The volume contains seven individual stories from seven different artists, each written by screenwriter Max Landis, from different points in Superman’s life. The stories each tell of a different struggle that he must face as an outsider, and how it affects him psychologically. American Alien makes a story told hundreds of times before feel original and new, which is a feat in itself.

Doom Patrol Vol. 1: Brick by Brick: written by Gerard Way, art by Nick Derington

doom patrolThe Doom Patrol is a classic superhero team that first debuted in 1963, and has had numerous iterations over the years. However, this new version of the team, created by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance fame for his DC Comics imprint Young Animal, breathes new life into the characters. Doom Patrol Vol. 1 is a surrealist, bizarre take on the team. It brings a fantastic strangeness that doesn’t overtake a surprisingly solid plot. In its pages, you’ll find delightful weirdness, unique and fascinating characters, and wonderfully apt cartoon-esque art from Nick Derington that only further accentuates the sheer peculiarity of the whole book. Doom Patrol is a lot of fun and is great read whether you are an old-school comics fan or a new reader

Francophile Friday: French Cooking

By Annerin Long

For Francophones and Francophiles worldwide, March is le Mois de la Francophonie, a month of celebrating the language and cultures of the French-speaking world. Here in Jackson, the local Alliance Française (AFJ) chapter is a great connection to all things French in our area, and this month we’re looking forward to sharing some of our favorite books from French authors and about French culture with Lemuria readers.

Few conversations about traveling in France or French culture will go far before the subject of food comes up, so we will start here with a few favorites for both recipes and about the food scene and personalities.

ladureeBecause I believe in desserts first to be sure I’m not too full for the sweets, I’ll begin with Ladurée: The Sweet Recipes, a collection from the famous Paris (now worldwide) pâtisserie. Baking isn’t my strength in the kitchen, but my sweet tooth makes this little book one of my favorites to flip through and recall the beautiful windows full of small cakes and tarts found all around Paris. The instructions are clearly written and shortcomings in my attempts with the recipes have more to do with a lack of patience on my part; everything always tastes great and as it should, but just isn’t put together in picture-perfect form. The Sweet Recipes features not only the macarons that Ladurée is so well known for, but also other classic French pastries such as madeleines, savarins, crème brúlée, oeufs à la neige (eggs in snow, or meringues in custard), and tarts, along with other small cakes, cookies, and ice cream.

hungry for franceHungry for France by Alexander Lobrano is a book for food lovers as much as cooks. Lobrano takes readers around France, exploring the restaurants and food traditions of the different regions, introducing readers to the chefs, and sharing a selection of recipes from each region. A word of warning: the beautiful photography of food, restaurants, and countryside in Hungry for France may leave you wishing you could catch a flight to France the next day.

mastering the art of french cookingJulia Child’s objective in writing Mastering the Art of French Cooking was to introduce an American audience to French cooking. This classic deserves a place on every home chef’s shelf for its direct instructions and information for preparing classic French food. Child herself is an interesting and entertaining subject, and AFJ member Carl Cerco recommends her biography My Life in France for a look at the years that were to have such a big impact on the rest of her life.

Au Revoir to All That: Food, Wine, and the End of France by Michael Steinberger is an interesting look at the crisis the food industry in France has been facing in more recent years, and for me was an eye-opener on the stresses and pressures restaurants face in having a once sought-after Michelin star.

In The Paris Cookbook, Patricia Wells draws on her friendships with well-known chefs around the city for a collection that will bring a French restaurant dinner into your own kitchen. The scallops with warm vinaigrette from la Cagouille is my go-to recipe when I want a simple but special dinner.

It’s difficult to narrow a list of books of French food, so in addition to other books by the authors already mentioned, a few more for consideration are:

Bon appétit!

About the Alliance Française de Jackson
The Alliance Française de Jackson is a non-profit organization with the mission of promoting French language and culture in the Metro Jackson area. This is done through language classes and other educational programs, cultural programming, and special events centered around French celebrations. Many of our members speak French, but it is not a requirement, and we welcome all who love the language and cultures of the Francophone world.

Cozy Books for a Cold Winter

by Trianne Harabedian

There are a lot of reasons for which I say that I’m blessed. But the most important reason is that when Jackson’s weather reached literal freezing temperatures a few weeks ago, I was in California visiting my family. Mid -70s, people. I know: you’re jealous. Anyway, even though Jackson weather has warmed up, it’s still pretty cold outside. So I’m sharing a few of my favorite cozy, wintertime, bundle-up-with-hot chocolate-and-a-quilt books!

olaf sun

potato peel societyThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I’m not usually a fan of novels told through letters, but this book was surprisingly amazing. It’s the story of Juliet Ashton, a writer in search of her next topic, and her love affair with the island of Guernsey. Set in the years just after World War II, Juliet begins by corresponding with the island’s inhabitants and eventually comes to love them so much that she decides to visit. It’s one of those books that needs to be accompanied by a fireplace and a cup of tea–just make sure you can put the cup down while you laugh!

eleanor oliphantEleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman

This is a more recent book, which came out in the middle of last year. Eleanor Oliphant lives a very structured, solitary life until she accidentally becomes friends with a coworker. As the book progresses, you realize Eleanor’s dry wit and attachment to routine stem from an inability to process tragedy. The sweet characters and gentle ways Honeyman deals with brokenness make this novel the perfect balance of cozy and serious.

hazel woodThe Hazel Wood
by Melissa Albert

This YA novel is coming out on January 30, but I got to read an advanced copy and loved it! A girl who cannot remember her past, a collection of twisted fairy tales authored by her grandmother, and an unpredictable adventure, this story goes a step beyond magical realism while staying grounded in a contemporary mindset. The old-world fairy tales and slightly dark storytelling style made me want to curl up in bed and just keep reading.

capture the castleI Capture the Castle
by Dodie Smith

Written in the 1940s, this YA classic came recommended by a friend a few years ago, and I was instantly in love. Cassandra is a young girl whose family lives in relative poverty in a renovated castle. There’s her unproductive–novelist father, her flamboyant and nature-loving step-mother, her romantic sister, her logical brother, and the sentimental boy who has always lived with them. Add to the mix two handsome brothers–their new landlords–and you have a novel in which anything can happen. I reread this one over Christmas break and its delightful, old-fashioned nature was perfect for nights spent reading.

Lemuria Community Favorites for 2017

Earlier, in December, our staff shared our favorite books that came out in 2017 in three categories: fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. But somebody had a great idea: instead of just sharing our opinions, why didn’t we share yours?

The rules are a little different this time, though: this is a list of people’s favorite book that they read in 2017, regardless of when it came out (not necessarily last year). Without further ado:

Kathie LottDisclaimer by Renee Knight; The Leavers by Lisa Ko; A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles; A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

John Hugh TateA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles; Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard; A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin

Michael SteptThe Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

Kirby ArinderThe Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith

Lee HowellThe Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan

Ed MoakAlone: Britain, Churchill, and Dunkirk: Defeat into Victory by Michael Korda; Camino Island by John Grisham; The Road to Camelot: Inside JFK’s Five-Year Campaign by Thomas Oliphant and Curtis Wilkie

Hannah HesterThe Fifth Season by N.K. Jenison

Kristine WeaverThe Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Kay HedglinEveningland by Michael Knight

Jeff Good, proprietor of Broad Street, Bravo, and Sal & Mookie’s – The Simple Truth About Your Business by Alex Brennan-Martin and Larry Taylor

Melvin Priester, Ward 2 City Council member – A Visit from the Good Squad by Jennifer Egan; the Saga series by Brian K. Vaughn

Haley Barbour, Mississippi governor (2004-2012) – Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Jim Ewing, Clarion-Ledger book reviewer – A Really Big Lunch by Jim Harrison

Jana Hoops, Clarion-Ledger author interviewer – Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant; A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Jesmyn Ward, author of Sing, Unburied, Sing and Salvage the Bones – The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies

Michael Farris Smith, author of Desperation RoadStoner by John Williams

Angie Thomas, author The Hate U GiveLong Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Richard Grant, author of Dispatches from PlutoDesperation Road by Michael Farris Smith

Howard Bahr, author of Pelican RoadHue 1968 by Mark Bowden

Matthew Guinn, author of The Scribe and The ResurrectionistDesperation Road by Michael Farris Smith

Thanks especially to the readers and authors who helped compile this list, and thanks to anybody  and everybody who reads this blog and shops at our store. You make Lemuria exist, and on behalf of everybody who works here, we extend our deepest thanks. In the words (you’ve probably heard over our P.A.) of our muse, Ms. Jody, “This wouldn’t be a party without each one of you.”

lemuria1-wi15-1024x576

Johnny Be Good: 3 ‘John’ Books You Have Probably Heard About

by Andrew Hedglin

“John” is one of the most common names in the English language.

Go, Johnny, Go

Go, Johnny, Go

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that some of book publishing’s hottest commodities share the same cognomen. Two of the books I’m about to talk about were written by a John and published in October, and the other one a John is responsible for and, while not quite new, would make a great gift this holiday season.

John Green, in addition to appearing to YouTube on the Vlogbrothers and Crash Course channels, is responsible for some of this generations most memorable YA titles, such as Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, and the ubiquitous The Fault in Our Stars. The latter two were made into movies, so you’ve probably heard of his works even if his name isn’t familiar. After a five-year publishing hiatus, Green returns with his new novel, Turtles All the Way Down.

turtles all the way downTurtles All the Way Down tells the story of Aza Holmes as she hangs out with her over-the-top friend Daisy, is awkwardly romanced bt her childhood friend Davis Pickett, and searches for clues as to what happened to the missing, tuatara-obssessed, shady local billionaire Russell Pickett (who also happens to be Davis’s father). Meanwhile, Aza struggles to live her daily life while continuously caught in her “thought spirals,” which is her shorthand for explaining the will-destroying nightmare that living with obsessive-compulsive disorder can be.

While Turtles has a touch of romance (and only a fraction of the turtles promised by the titles), it is far less melodramatic than the teenage cancer star-crossed romance that The Fault in Our Stars was perceived by some to be. Aza and her illness are thoughtfully represented by Green, who suffers from OCD himself. Although your mileage may vary, I also highly enjoyed the madcap levity that best friend Daisy provides. It’s an evolution in his writing, but still definitely a John Green work that both long-time fans and hopefully some new readers will really appreciate.

rooster barSpeaking of madcap hi-jinks, John Grisham released his second mystery novel for adults this year (Camino Island, an intensely readable Fitzgerald manuscript heist, came out in June). This book, The Rooster Bar (which has even fewer roosters than the previous book had turtles) tells the story of three low-rent law students moving from scam-to-scam in the wake of a tragic suicide of a friend and in the shadow of impending student loan debt and professional misery. Friends Mark, Todd, and Zola stop studying for the bar exam, attempting to practice law out of an actual bar on the far side of Washington D.C. from the substandard, for-profit law school they just dropped out of so they can attempt to hustle legal fees in traffic court and hospital cafeterias. They also use information left behind from their lost friend to (hopefully) nail the guy at the top of the disgusting-but-not-actionable law school scheme.

The Rooster Bar has one of those grand conspiracies that has become a Grisham hallmark, but those who seek to uncover it are not out for justice; they’re out for themselves. They not only skirt the rule of law; they barely seem to understand its intricacies. But, hey, when you enroll at a law school called Foggy Bottom, you deserve what you get. Plenty of rich atmospherics highlight a book that combines the the scheming of The Brethren with the delicious sleaziness of Rogue Lawyer. Both the plot and the main characters end up in a place you’d least suspect.

As for the final book I’d like to talk about, I can only repeat a familiar refrain: let’s talk Jackson. Ken Murphy’s luscious photography dominates the book, but I can assure you that it would not exist without the will and insistence of Lemuria owner John Evans.

JXNLAMAR-2TI’ve lived in the Jackson area all my life, and I love this city. I’ve spent a lot of time in Belhaven, Fondren, Downtown, the Interstate corridor, and parts all over. I find something new to love all the time, or  I rediscover a spot once visited that tugs me back into the past. Although the Jackson this book captures is frozen in the specific period of 2013-14 (here’s a neat trick: compare the Lemuria cover to the view from a half-flight up Banner Hall’s staircase and see what noticeable feature is flipped), there’s a timeless quality to the sense of place the photographs capture. Murphy’s beautiful, mostly depopulated photos allow us to imagine ourselves among the beautiful scenes of the city we share, in both memory and possibility. If you haven’t already checked out one of Jackson books, a Lemuria exclusive, I highly encourage you to do so.

Ellen’s Bodacious Beach Reads 2017

So I shall be going to the beach next week, and next week can’t come soon enough. Now, being of the pale skin variety (i.e. I look like I’ve been dead for two weeks because I’m so pale), I tend not to actually sit on the actual beach all that much. I just want to sit on the balcony, smell the ocean, smoke many packs of cigarettes, and read…A LOT OF BOOKS. So, for several weeks, I have been thinking about which books I would be taking to the beach to read. This has been difficult for me, because I have several hundreds of books on my TBR (to be read) list. I have finally narrowed down the list. Hallelujah!!! So let’s do this!

made for loveThe first book on my list is the new novel from Alissa Nutting, Made for Love. People: this book’s cover is of the air-brushed persuasion. If that is not enough to get your engines started, let me break this novel’s story down for you: Hazel has just left her tech billionaire husband, who has also his sights set on world domination. Things have been weird in their marriage for years, but the straw that finally breaks the camel’s back is when Byron wants to insert a chip in his and Hazel’s brain in order to achieve the first mind meld in history. pinky ru ponderingHer only option is to seek refuge in her father’s home that is in a retirement trailer park. Did I mention that her widower father has just purchased a brand new lifelike sex doll named Diane? Hazel’s father’s hope is that in his last years he will die doing something that he loves; obviously, that thing is having sex with Diane. “Hazel began to look at the five-foot four-inch silicone princess a little differently now: Penthouse pet from waist up, Dr. Kevorkian from the waste down.” If this little bit I’ve just shared does not convince you to buy this book, then we do not share the same sick sense of humor…and that is totally your choice. Albeit the wrong one, but I digress.

goodbye vitaminNumber two is Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong. Ruth, freshly disengaged from her fiance, is summoned home to help care for her father Howard, a once prominent history professor has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and has bouts of lucidity. When Ruth arrives home, she finds the situation much more serious than she had anticipated. When the university does finally sack Howard, Ruth and a handsome ex-student of Howard’s go a little too far in the name of justice. Over the course of a year, the comedy in Ruth’s situation becomes apparent and it gently transforms her grief. Honestly, I am eager to read anything about a thirty-something woman who is not exactly where she would like to be in her life. Perhaps I relate. HAHAHAHA.

watch me disappearWatch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown is coming in hot at number three on the list. This novel is about Billie Flanagan, who went missing a year earlier in Desolation Wilderness (which does not sound like an optimal location to go on a solo hike, but that is what she does). Her body is never found, but a shattered cell phone is recovered. Billie left behind a husband and a teenage daughter. Both of the survivors in this story deal with the loss of Billie in equally unhealthy ways. However, things get seemingly extra unhealthy when Olive, the daughter, starts having visions of Billie…alive. Jonathan, Billie’s husband, is very concerned for Olive’s emotional stability when this all begins, but as he uncovers secrets from Billie’s past, he wonders if he ever knew her at all. So, of course Olive and Jonathan unite in a quest to figure out the truth about Billie’s past and her disappearance. The tagline to this book is “Who you want people to be makes you blind to who they really are.” (cue ominous mood music)

white furNumber four is White Fur by Jardine Libaire. The title of this novel is taken from the white rabbit fur coat the female protagonist always wears. Another great novel tagline is coming your way: “A stunning, star-crossed love story set against the glitz and grit of 1980s New York City.” COUNT. ME. IN. I mean, this novel has absolutely all the things I care about: star-crossed lovers? YES. 1980s New York City? OH YOU KNOW IT! And a female protagonist who is from the wrong side of the tracks and falls in love with a WASP? I’M STARTING TO GET SHORT OF BREATH! HELP ME! So, I have already read the first few pages and it opens in a seedy motel room with Elise, our girl, sitting on the bed with a rifle pointed at Jamie, her guy. All I can think of is, how did it get to this point? My book club is actually reading this book for July and I have already heard wonderful things from some of the members.

meddling kidsLast but not least is number five on the list, Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero. Essentially, this book is about the Mystery Inc. gang all grown up, and it ain’t pretty, people. In this novel, the gang is known as “The Blyton Summer Detective Club.” Blyton Hills is a small mining town in Oregon’s Zoinx River Valley. In 1977, the gang solved their last mystery and unmasked the elusive Sleepy Lake monster. So the story itself starts in 1990 after all of the former detectives have grown up and apart. Everyone is haunted by the disturbing memories of their final night on the case. To give you a sense of how everyone’s lives have turned out up to this point, I’ll explain everyone’s current sitch. Andy, who was the intrepid tomboy, is now wanted in two states and is tired of running from her demons. Kerri is the once kid genius who is drinking away her life in New York City with a Weimaraner named Tim who is a descendant of the original canine in the gang. Then there is Nate, who is a horror-loving nerd that is currently residing in an asylum in Arkham, Massachusetts. Nate has not lost contact with Peter, the gang leader, who was a star jock-turned-actor. This would be totally normal…if Peter were not dead, which he has been for years. So everyone is going to get the gang back together and face their fears about what happened all those years ago! I mean honestly I might start my beach trip off with this book because it sounds like too much damn fun.

So that’s what I’ll be doing for a week. I hope everyone’s week next week is as fun as mine!

Hunter recommends 3 science fiction classics

Today, it would be difficult to find a movie or television show that does not incorporate some kind of science fiction element. Inspired by this, many people now seek to experience the genre at its source: books. However, with such an overwhelming number of classic science fiction books, where should someone start? This is a question that customers have asked me before, and here is my answer: Here are three books that you can find on our shelves that I think are perfect examples of classic science fiction.

Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke

childhoods endTo those who have heard his name, Arthur C. Clarke is most well-known as the co-creator of the book and subsequent film 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, his influence does not stop at cinema. Clarke’s theories in his books about satellites and orbits actually came to fruition in reality, so much so that a geosynchronous orbit used by telecommunications satellites is named after him (The Clarke Belt). My personal favorite work of his is Childhood’s End, a story of mankind’s first encounter with extraterrestrials and the effects that span hundreds of years. The story begins with a simple premise: massive alien ships suddenly appear on Earth, hovering over major cities, doing nothing. It’s an iconic enough image to spawn several copycat stories and films, which I will not list here. Where it goes from there is a bit strange, but I won’t spoil it.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? By Philip K. Dick

do androids dream of electric sheepThere has been a lot of debate as to which author is truly the quintessential sci-fiauthor, and nearly every one comes to the same conclusion. Philip K. Dick made massive contributions to the entire genre of Science-Fiction, molding it into what it is today. Many of PKD’s works have been adapted to film and television, though few know it. Total RecallThe Adjustment BureauMinority ReportThe Man in the High Castle, and Blade Runner are all based on his works. Because of this, many people are more familiar with his stories than they realize. My favorite work of his is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which was the basis for the film Blade Runner. It is a detective story at it’s heart, the story of Rick Deckard, a “Blade Runner,” a detective who specializes in identifying and decommissioning rogue androids. It’s an interesting take on the classic mystery novel, and I love it.

The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

ult hitchhikers guide galaxyDouglas Adams was, for the most part, a humorist in the vein of Mark Twain, but his genre of choice was science fiction. His masterpiece, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and its sequels, now published together as The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, are the best example of his sharp wit and absurdist style of Adams’ work. The opening of the book features (spoiler alert, although it is the beginning of the book) the destruction of Earth, after which Adams writes “This planet has—or rather had—a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much all of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movement of small green pieces of paper, which was odd because on the whole, it wasn’t the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.” The book is likely the one that I have reread the most, and in my mind, it is, not only one of the funniest novels, but one of the best ever written at all.

Get Your Dad the Perfect Book for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is THIS SUNDAY. If you’re like me, then it snuck up on you. Don’t have a gift yet? Lemuria is here to help! We’ve got a book for every dad out there.

For the dad that loves thrill seeking:

Camino Island – John Grisham

camino

This is Grisham’s latest book, out just in time to give to your dad for Father’s Day!

No Middle Name – Lee Child

leechild

Another recently published book, No Middle Name is a collection of Jack Reacher stories.

For the Dad whose favorite room is the kitchen:

A Southern Gentleman’s Kitchen – Matt Moore

southern gentleman

Classic Southern recipes, with a twist!

Reel Masters – Susan Schadt

reelmasters

This not only has recipes, but big fish tales, as well.

For the Dad who prefers the past over the present:

The Flight – Dan Hampton

flight

The story of Charles Lindbergh’s famous 1927 transatlantic flight.

Killers of the Flower Moon – David Grann

killersofflowermoon

The incredible true story of the FBI’s first big case about the murders of the Osage Indians.

For the Dad who watches the big game every weekend:

Ballplayer – Chipper Jones

ballplayer

Jones’ autobiography about his 19-year career as an Atlanta Brave.

The Last Season – Stuart Stevens

lastseason

A touching story about a man and his father, and the lifetime of college football games they attended.

For the Dad who seems to already have everything:

Atlas Obscura – Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras, Ella Morton

atlasobscura

An encyclopedia like you’ve never seen. You can find all sorts of amazing factoids about places you’ve never heard of!

The Revenge of Analog – David Sax

analog

Have you ever heard your father complain about the “kids these days”? This book laments the long lost art forms of brick and mortar stores, vinyl records, etc.

If none of these strike your fancy, the folks at Lemuria have hundreds more books to recommend! We would love to help you out, and we will even wrap your book for your dad.

Polly’s April Triple YA Book Recommendation

If you’re like me, you’re trying to find the next thing to read a lot. I’m either too busy to read, binge reading while I do have time to read, or I’m in an awkward state of limbo between books. However, lately these three books have helped pull me out of my reading rut and gotten me back on track!

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

why we broke upThere aren’t many YA romance novels that compel me to go through them with a pen and a highlighter. Why We Broke Upis a rare exception. My copy of this book is so inked up and loved that I honestly feel like it’s become a treasure to me. It was written by Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snickett!) and has won some very prestigious awards since its release. It’s framed as a letter written by Min to her ex-boyfriend Ed, systematically explaining each item in the box she is dropping off at his house and how it explains why they broke up. It features beautiful, vivid illustrations that tie the whole book together in a truly unique way. The gorgeous poetic style of this book made it feel more like a long song than a novel, and its portrayal of the heartbreak of young love will make you ugly-cry.

ugly cry

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

darkest cornersIt’s such a cliche to say that I couldn’t put this book down, but trust me when I say that I really do mean it when it comes to The Darkest Corners. It’s a dark, compelling mystery that follows the story of Tessa, a girl who, along with her childhood best friend Callie, was a major witness in the trial for the murder of Callie’s cousin. She returns to Fayette, Pennsylvania, for the first time in ten years to say goodbye to her dying father. However, when the Ohio River Monster strikes again, she is forced to face the question: What if her testimony put the wrong man behind bars? This book will seriously keep you guessing until the very end, and you’ll never believe the ending either.

gasp

Sometimes We Tell the Truth by Kim Zarins

sometimes we tell the truthWho knew that a retelling of The Canterbury Tales could feel so modern and authentic? Emulating Chaucer is a tall order by any standard, but Kim Zarins delivers. The story takes place on a bus headed to Washington D.C. filled with rambunctious teens stuck together on a six-hour bus ride. Their civics teacher and supervisor’s solution is to come up with a story-telling competition: best story gets the winner an A in the class. The stories range from hilarious to raunchy to deadly serious, but all of them teach us something valuable about the characters. The cast is diverse and compelling, as one would have to be to make a reader relate to a 24-person cast! The story is tried and true, but Kim Zarins puts an amazing, modern spin on things to make an unforgettable read.

chaucer

Page 1 of 2

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén