Emma Bull

You may not think that fantasy and western genres would blend well … think again!

The opening scene of Territory by Emma Bull features a recently shot cowboy being lain across Doc Holliday’s poker table. The fun only continues from there because this book has it all: cowboys and Chinese magicians, saloon girls and East Coast society debutantes, desperate rides and raging fires, stagecoach robberies and horse taming. Bull’s writing expertly transports you to another time and place.

The story takes place in the weeks leading up to the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral. The Old West, and Tombstone in particular, are not topics that I know much about. I recognized the names of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, but had to look up the Clanton brothers and the McLaureys on Wikipedia to appreciate all the nuances of this beautifully written novel that’s chock-full of magical realism. Only this story isn’t exactly the one that I researched online or that you may have watched on the big screen. In Bull’s take, people who possess an innate affinity for the earth can use natural resources in supernatural ways. The rich veins of silver in and around Tombstone have lured several such men to the territory, and their struggles for dominance lead this tale toward its inevitable conclusion.

The two main characters, Mildred Benjamin and Jesse Fox, are purely fictional. Mildred, the educated Jewish widow of a Civil War veteran, supports herself by working at one of the local newspapers. Jesse Fox is supposedly just a drifter headed through town on his way to Mexico, until he finds his old friend and mentor in the local Chinatown. Chow Lung has been trying to get Jesse to admit to sorcerous powers for quite some time, with little success. Events in Tombstone make it impossible for Jesse to continue to deny his magic. And, the genteel romance that blooms between Mildred and Jesse only serves to entangle him further in local affairs.

Territory offers a strange mix of the familiar and the completely foreign. Bull lifts a chapter out of American history and makes it come alive, adding her own twists for good measure.

Kristen Blount - Administration Office

David Wroblewski

In September, I had the pleasure of taking a river cruise on the Danube with Diane Rehm, the well-known public radio talk show host whose popular program is now distributed nationally and internationally by NPR and NPR Worldwide. Diane selected The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski for our on-board book discussion.

Gar and Trudy Sawtelle  run a dog breeding business in rural Wisconsin. The Sawtelle dogs are magnificent, and their complex training method makes these dogs far from ordinary. The Sawtelles have an only son, Edgar, who was born mute. Edgar uses a carefully crafted sign language, not only with his parents, but also with the dogs. When Edgar is 14, his long-lost Uncle Claude, his father’s brother, returns to the farm. Claude’s first unidentified appearance is mentioned in the prologue, involving a highly lethal poison purchase in South Korea, 1952. The mystery introduced in the prologue shows up again and again throughout the book. Many mysteries and secrets unfold that will capture the reader’s attention. It is with Claude’s return that the novel takes on the theme of Hamlet.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is David Wroblewksi’s debut novel, ten years in the making and brimming with beautifully rendered passages. I especially loved the chapters that involved the dogs, their unique training and their own thoughts, in particular the thoughts of Almondine, Edgar’s life-long friend and companion. Edgar Sawtelle is a compelling and masterful read — the 562 pages fly by. Book discussion groups should take notice of this novel. Oprah certainly has: she chose Edgar Sawtelle for her immensely popular book club this past September.

Eve Olsen — Central Library

Shaun Tan

The Arrival by Shaun Tan is a wordless graphic novel that captures the immigrant experience with remarkable emotional intensity. In a series of sepia images, we follow a father as he departs his homeland and travels to a strange and distant metropolis. Fleeing unpleasant circumstances at home, represented by the scaly and shadowy dragon tails in the streets, he is thrown together with strangers, separated from his wife and child, and carried to a strange land. When he arrives, he finds an unusual written language, radically different architecture, fascinating modes of transport, and some very distinctive animals. The book’s visuals convey his culture shock and force us to share it, because there’s little here that we recognize.

Many of the illustrations expand the story and establish a broad relevance. Endpapers show us people from many lands, in different styles of dress, suggesting that the experience of the man at the center of the story is representative. “Flashback” black and white illustrations show us scenes representing war, persecution, and forced labor, depicting the reasons why three of the immigrants featured in The Arrival left their homelands. If you look closely enough, you might recognize Ellis Island and Manhattan, as seen through the eyes of a newly-arrived and culture-shocked immigrant to the U.S in the early twentieth century.

Family is a critical component of this story. Tan skillfully depicts the emotional depths of separation and reunion, and makes it clear that the bonds of family are strained by distance, but not broken. The Arrival ends with a subtle and potent inter-generational suggestion that everything is going to work out fine, and shows the process of immigration and integration to be a consistent and evolving one.

The Arrival is a masterpiece of the graphic novel form. Reserve a copy today.

John Jewitt - Savage Branch

Editor’s note: Highly Recommended wishes you a Happy New Year! We will return on Friday, January 2.

I was browsing through the World music collection the other day when I saw this CD and grabbed it up right away, intrigued by the couple dancing, looking so carefree and into the moment. I absolutely love music from other countries so I thought, what the heck? You can be a lot more spontaneous with music when you’re at your local library.

As soon as I popped Euro Groove in my car stereo on the way home from work, I knew I’d found something special…something understated and alluring. Take the opening track, "Destins and Désirs" by Jeanne Added. It loses no time enveloping you in sultry French sounds, melting away the stress that comes with rush hour. Light percussion and a whimsical flute give this a unique touch that you definitely won’t find on your local radio station. I hit repeat several times, fascinated by its odd mix of something you’d find in a Fred Astaire film and a modern "come hither" rhythm. 

Other songs, like "Mädchen mit Plan" by 2raumwohnung and "Le Shin" by Deladap, are candy for your musical soul…so delicious you can’t believe it took your ears this long to find them. The producers weren’t kidding when they put "groove" in the title. That’s exactly what you get with this. Lots of smooth and relaxing stuff that doesn’t insult your intelligence or make you feel like you’re trapped in an elevator. Other hypnotic tracks include "Nuit Magique" by Jazzamor and "Jacob’s Ladder" by Chumbawamba.

That couple on the cover? They may look a little corny, but the expressions on their faces capture just how good you’ll feel after listening to this collection.

Angie Engles - Central Library

John Baxter

I devoured this little treasure in about four hours during the Thanksgiving weekend - trips to Philadelphia are good for that. Immoveable Feast: a Paris Christmas is a gentle, heartwarming holiday treat. The author, John Baxter, is an ex-pat from Australia who immigrated to the United States, fell in love with a French woman, and moved to Paris. A writer by trade and a foodie by avocation, Baxter recounts anecdotes as he prepares to cook a lavish Christmas dinner for his adopted French family at their country estate. The book’s chapters weave the different times of his life into the type of reminiscent conversation that often happens when good friends get together. I found myself reading little nuggets aloud to entertain my husband while he was driving. (I’m sure he appreciated my thoughtfulness.)

When asked by friends from all over the world about where to spend Christmas in Paris, Baxter honestly says it’s the worst time of year to visit the City of Light. Baxter explains that Christmas for the French greatly resembles Thanksgiving for Americans. At Christmas, all the shops and attractions close because everyone goes home. An intimate holiday, the big Christmas dinner is the ultimate family celebration. As Baxter assembles the menu for the feast, he takes the reader on a culinary tour of France’s delicacies: from fresh foie gras, to the Loire’s vineyards, to oysters just harvested from the Atlantic. This gem of a book reads like a cross between Peter Mayle’s odes to French country life and the classic cooking movie Babette’s Feast.

Bon appetit and Joyeux Noel!

Kristen Blount - Administration Office

Editor’s note: Highly Recommended will return on Friday, December 26. Happy Holidays to all!

It takes a secure man to spend an entire movie dressed in yellow tights and a green tunic. Will Ferrell fits the bill as he plays the title character in Elf, a comedy about a boy raised by elves after he crawls into Santa’s bag and lands in the North Pole. As he grows older, Buddy finds out that he’s not actually an elf. Now he must learn about humanity. So the elves send him to New York City to find his original father. Along the way, Buddy teaches his family and others about the meaning of Christmas. Bob Newhart takes a great turn as his adoptive elfin father, and James Caan, as his human dad, makes the Grinch look festive.

I enjoyed this movie because it tells the story of a man just trying to fit in. At the North Pole, Buddy is too big to be a part of the elves’ world, while In New York City, he’s too trusting and joyful to truly be part of the Big Apple. But friends and family (and the viewer) soon warm to his innocence, and Buddy eventually gains acceptance.

It’s also a story about family. No matter how crazy Buddy might act — like eating spaghetti with maple syrup — his father tries really hard to tolerate their differences. Santa and the elves also act as a surrogate family to Buddy when they teach him about the joys of Christmas and love of mankind.

In the end, Elf is mostly a story about the love and joy of the Christmas season, even when the holiday seems stressful and over-commercialized.  And so we cheer Buddy as he finds his family, gets the girl, rescues Santa, and is a big-hearted hero in everyone’s eyes. 

Robert Bates - Glenwood Branch

Kevin Fitzhugh and
Tammy Brown

Dance instructors from local studios showcase their expert moves, including West Coast Swing, salsa, bop, hand dance, Lindy Hop, and cha cha. Meet instructors and find out about their classes. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to check out some of the best dance masters in the area — including Kevin Fitzhugh and Tammy Brown, who recently competed in the 2008 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships in Annaheim, California.

Elaine Johnson - Central Library

David Sedaris

David Sedaris’ latest volume of essays, Holidays on Ice, contains twelve stories, some written as fiction, and some in Sedaris’ signature first-person observational style. All reflect on the holiday experience. The most substantial tale, Santa Land Diaries, is an insider exposé of the life of a Macy’s Elf. Sedaris’ “Elfin diary” is crammed with reality checks that bring the North Pole back to Herald Square with a bump, and contrast the commercial aspects of Christmas with the meaning and intent of the holiday. He uncovers these contradictions with humor and directness, as when he recalls being given “the code names for various posts, such as ‘the Vomit Corner,’ a mirrored wall near the Magic Tree, where nauseous children tend to surrender the contents of their stomachs.” Peeking behind the curtain to glimpse the commercial organization making the holiday magic is both wonderful and tragic at the same time. Sedaris walks this line as skillfully as anyone.

Sedaris’ wit is most barbed when focused on his family. In Holidays on Ice, we ride shotgun with Sedaris as he participates (unwillingly) in his sister Lisa’s Christian act of charity towards her colleague, Dinah. We also experience once again his classic exposé and comparison of various international holiday traditions, especially those of the Dutch:

“Saint Nicholas would kick you?”

“Well, not anymore,” Oscar said. “Now he just pretends to kick you.”

In addition to this sly take on the holidays, Sedaris has written several volumes of biographical essays, including Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and When You Are Engulfed in Flames. He also narrates audio versions of these books, and, as the author, provides a pitch-perfect experience for the listener. Once you read or listen to a Sedaris essay, you’ll be hooked by his self-deprecating wit and skill at observing contradictions and then brutally revealing them. As a timely seasonal introduction to Sedaris’ signature style, check out Holidays on Ice.

John Jewitt - Savage Branch

It’s that time of year again. Between the hustle and bustle of crowds, I need to find a little time to watch some classic holiday movies. Not sure what to watch? Well, here are the top three movies that have seen the inside of my DVD player this season.

A perennial favorite is  Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! It could be, perhaps, that it is fun and light. Or maybe because Boris Karloff’s voice is just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all is because this movie is perfect for the tall and the small. Many may consider this a children’s movie, but I still enjoy it every year. Whoever thought to cast Boris Karloff as the Grinch was a genius. Dr. Seuss’ rhymes still appeal to me and the message, albeit cliché, still rings true. "Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!"  So if you don’t have a lot of time to watch a movie but need to get into the spirit, set aside an hour for the Grinch and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

A new favorite on my DVD playlist for the holidays is actually an oldie but a goodie: White Christmas starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. With these two talented song-and-dance men at the helm, you know you are in for a good time. Add in a splash of Irving Berlin’s great songwriting, a pinch of Rosemary Clooney’s heavenly voice, a dash of Vera-Ellen charm, and you have a classic that spells C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S. I just discovered another reason why this movie is a favorite — although uncredited, Bob Fosse (my top dance man) did the choreography.

My last pick is a bit unconventional when it comes to a typical Christmas movie. Love Actually is a fun little romantic comedy that hosts a plethora of great British actors: Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, and one of my all-time favorites, Professor Snape, aka Alan Rickman. Follow the escapades of a washed-up singer trying to make a comeback, a recently widowed father trying to connect with his stepson, or the newly elected, very single Prime Minister (if only Gordon Brown looked that good). It is light, funny (even made my British husband laugh in places, which isn’t easy to do) and of course ends on an upbeat note (well most of it). It is a fun reminder that not only at Christmas but throughout the year, love is all around us.

These are my three picks for holiday DVD viewing. I would love to hear about some of your favorite holiday movies so that I can expand my repertoire.  Please leave me a comment below.

Beth Tribe - Central Library

Marilynne Robinson

This is a book that longs for a holiday reading, not only because of its theme of the prodigal son — in this case, Jack Boughton — coming "home," but for its message of flaws, frailties and the inherent grace and forgiveness in each of us. Robinson writes about the simplest and most mundane activities, but she manages to infuse such profound implications in such brilliant prose that reading Home is like being ensconced in the comforts of…home.

Home also narrates the story of Gloria, who returns from a failed relationship to take care of her ailing father, Rev. Robert Boughton. I believe that Gloria is the strongest character in this book. She tries to piece together her family’s former life with the realities of the present.

As Home recounts the tale of the Boughtons, Gilead focuses on Rev. John Ames, the other patriarch and childhood friend of Robert Boughton. The two books speak of events that happened in both households in the mythical town of Gilead, Iowa, some fifty years ago. Gilead, released in 2004, won Robinson the Pulitzer Prize after a 25-year hiatus since her writing of the critically-acclaimed Housekeeping.

Gilead and Home unearth our prejudices, our religious hypocrisies, and our unspoken guilts and joys. Home is unblinking in its discussion of race and religion, while unstinting in its joy and belief in grace and redemption.

As Jack Boughton says: "Is religion simply an accident of birth? Do you think people are intentionally and irretrievably consigned to perdition?"

Cristina Lozare - Central Library