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Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Nonfiction Audience: Adult/Older Teen
Summary: Straight from an episode of CSI, this book details the life and times of Dr. Bill Blass, who established “The Body Farm”. The Anthropological Research Center, colloquially known as “The Body Farm” is a one-of-a-kind research facility that studies how the human body decomposes after death by studying actual human subjects (most are donated by well-meaning donors after their deaths) through the various stages of decomposition. This research has and is aiding forensic scientists all over the world in the quest to identify remains and identify murders, charlatans, and criminals.
Lucinda’s Views: As a person with an interest in forensic anthropology, this book was right up my alley. Dr. Bass brings a very technical and intense branch of science down to an approachable, layman’s level. Through easily understood, but fascinating scientific tidbits, Dr. Bass relates some of his more memorable cases and even the mistake that lead to the establishment of “The Body Farm”. Over his more than forty year career, Dr. Bass has been called upon to aid with many interesting, unique cases, from 3,000 year old Native American burials to a man who was shot, blown apart, and then had his house burned down around him in order try and conceal his murder. If you are interested in forensic science and love CSI, then this book would definitely be of interest.
Summary: Four years after the sudden death of her mother from a highly aggressive cancer, Cheryl Strayed made a decision that would change her crumbling life. She decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, the Western equivalent of the Appalachian Trail. Her rigorous 1,000 plus mile hike would change her life in ways that she little expected. This book is the story of her hike and its ultimate alteration of her very being.
Lucinda’s Views: I admit that I picked this up after having read about it in a fashion magazine. (Gasp)
But I was intrigued nevertheless. This account of hiking the PCT and all its many dangers, hazards, and beauties almost had me convinced to go out and buy a backpack to start training for the Appalachian Trail. (Anyone who knows me knows that that is so not my idea of fun.) With well written, descriptive prose that draws you in and allows you a vision of a woman whose life is just beyond her control, Cheryl’s hike is truly a test of courage, strength, and true grit that makes an enjoyable and motivating read…..(I was looking at hiking boots today….)
Summary: Margaux Fragoso was seven when she met pedophile Peter Curran at a neighborhood swimming pool. Peter was 51. Quickly, Peter’s world—a wonderland of exotic pets and play—became the center of Margaux’s life. Her mentally ill mother thought Peter was practically “Jesus in another life” and for Marguax, Peter became the all-consuming person: friend, playmate, father… lover. Their relationship lasted 15 years. This memoir is absolutely gut-wrenching, and a fearlessly honest account of sexual abuse and family dysfunction.
Tracy’s Thoughts:
This is a difficult book to read. Descriptions of the physical relationship are graphic at times, but not nearly as sensationalistic as one might fear. No, the real horror here is the way Fragoso manages to humanize a child molester, showing his perspective while laying bare the destruction of her childhood without self-pity or judgement. It is this last point—the lack of outright condemnation—that is astonishing. I was awed by Fragoso’s storytelling, which skillfully allows readers to experience Curran as the object of a young Margaux’s adoration even as we recognize the calculating manipulations of a predator. It is an uncomfortable balance at times—Fragoso is too candid to deny her love for her molester—but it provides important and fascinating insight into the mind of a victim. The erosion of Margaux’s sense of reality is devastating, and at times I was horrified to catch myself almost sympathizing with Peter. Peter insidiously worked his way into Margaux’s world, and as a writer Fragoso is equally skilled at pulling the reader into the world that they shared. This is an intensely disturbing book, but also a beautiful one.
Do some of the titles from our Fall Giveaway sound familiar, but you’re not sure why? Several have been featured titles in our Recommended Reading Lists! Here’s a quick reminder of some of the titles I’ve recommended previously. All-new fresh reviews of some of the other titles up for grabs will be forthcoming over the next few weeks.
The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama Genre: Realistic Fiction, Comedy
Set in the colorful world of modern India, this novel is a comedy of manners in the tradition of Jane Austen. Simpler in style than Austen’s work—many reviewers have compared it to Alexander McCall Smith’s No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series—The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is a light, engaging novel about relationships, family expectations, and Indian marriage traditions. The novel’s central characters are Mr. Ali, a Muslim retiree who decides to open a marriage bureau out of boredom and Aruna, the poor Hindi girl whom he hires as an assistant. There is nothing catastrophic in the plot, but the lack of angst, the vivid descriptions of everyday Indian life, and the amusing travails of marriage seekers combine to make a very pleasant, relaxing read perfect for an afternoon of lazing outside with a glass of lemonade.
American Widow by Alissa Torres, illus. by Sungyoon Choi Genre: Memoir (Graphic Format)
American Widow is a beautiful graphic memoir that illustrates the author’s private grief in the wake of a national tragedy. On September 11, 2001, Eddie Torres left for his second day of work at Cantor Fitzgerald and never returned. His wife Alissa was 7 months pregnant. What follows is a raw and lyrical look at her resulting anger, confusion, and depression as well as the weary tenacity that allowed her to carry on—all perfectly highlighted by images that perhaps express more than words ever could. For me, one of the most poignant moments is when Alissa, surrounded in the maternity store by happy couples, shops for a black funeral dress. Thankfully, this novel avoids the pitfalls of over sentiment or self-pity by balancing its focus between Alissa’s life with Eddie, a young Colombian immigrant who “dreamed the American Dream,” and the aftermath of grief, helpless anger, media frenzy, and bureaucratic red tape.
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker Genre: Magical Realism, Women’s Fiction, Southern Fiction
Little Giant is a tall tale with a bit of a dark side. Truly Plaice was born big—so big that half the men in Aberdeen were placing bets on how much the Plaice’s new son (everyone was sure she would be a boy) would weigh. Due to an unusual medical condition, Truly is continuously growing and becomes an object of curiosity and, often, disgust—especially in comparison to her delicately beautiful sister Serena Jane. In addition to a truly unique character, the novel also offers up bits of charming, rural folklore: an heirloom quilt, a rundown family farm, and a family’s healing tradition are all important threads throughout the book. Thanks to an intriguing plot that examines the questions of destiny, life, and death and a narrative style reminiscent of Alice Hoffman, first-time author Tiffany Baker stands out as an author to watch. I wouldn’t be surprised if her debut becomes the next darling of reading groups and book clubs.
I truly enjoyed each of these books. If you haven’t read them yet (or loved them and want a copy of your own), enter our Fall Giveaway Event and let us know which ARCs interest you!
