Alex Brandon

  Alex's picks:

Books! They have been in my life as long as I can remember, and have been able to sate any mood.  I have to say my papa is to thank for my addiction to books.  When I was a child we read together every night, and he always did a different voice for each character.  When we read the Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster and Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson that was it...I was in love with reading.  I devoured everything within my grasp and still do.  There is always a book in my purse and a stack by the bed.

My passion for food and reading have colided, resulting in a constantly growing cookbook collection.  Without a doubt my favorite genres would have to be food literature (fiction and non-fiction), literary fiction and historical  fiction.  With Stieg Larsson's Milennium series I have found a renewed interest in mysteries, once only fueled by Agatha Christie.  There are so many great authors out there, but some of my favoriites are Peter Mayle, Anthony Bourdaine, Stieg Larsson, Kathryn Stockett, Ken Follet and so many others.  If I don't stop now, you will end up reading a very long list.

The Borrower (Paperback)

By Rebecca Makkai

$15.00

ISBN-13: 9780143120957
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Penguin Books, 5/2012

Other Editions of this Title

Ian and Lucy make a dynamic traveling duo. Both are running away from something. They aren't willing to fit in where they belong. Ian is a vivacious 10-year old with an over-bearing mother who wants to control everything about him. Lucy is a young children's librarian stuck in a rut in every part of her life. When the two end up traveling together (in an unorthodox way) their lives may be forever changed...or maybe not. By the end of this book you may start to think about the impact books have had on you as well as the people around you.

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A Visit from the Goon Squad (Paperback)

By Jennifer Egan

$14.95

ISBN-13: 9780307477477
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Anchor, 5/2011

Other Editions of this Title

This book will appeal to lovers of novels and those of short stories, as it falls into a category somewhere in the middle. A mix of characters who's stories overlap in places, most of the stories involve Bennie Salazar (an aging rock executive) his once assistant Sasha, and their friends and associates. The large cast of characters is made of mostly self-destructive people, as they age and end up far from where they had hoped. Most of the book takes place in New York City, though we do get to travel as far as Italy and Africa to experience twists and turns within characters lives. The stories move between the late sixties, present day and the not too distant future. Egan has created a cast of characters that are both likeable and frustrating, but no matter the emotions they evoke in you, the books holds up till the end.

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Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook (Paperback)

By Anthony Bourdain

$15.99

ISBN-13: 9780061718953
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ecco, 5/2011

Other Editions of this Title

Ten years after his smash hit "Kitchen Confidential" Bourdain is back to exposing the seamy underbelly of the food industrie. With jabs at chefs, and off food rituals, it's difficult to put down his snarky (and witty) writing.

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Water for Elephants (Paperback)

By Sara Gruen

$14.95

ISBN-13: 9781565125605
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 5/2007

Other Editions of this Title

Ninety-something Jacob Jankowski (who is living in a nursing home) recounts his life with the circus during the depression. His story is told through a series of memories, peppered with his current life in the home. A wonderful story of love, passion, anger, friendship and loss. It captivated me to the end.

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Freedom (Paperback)

By Jonathan Franzen

$16.00

ISBN-13: 9780312576462
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Picador, 9/2011

Other Editions of this Title

Freedom follows the story of the members of the Berglund family. The first half of the story is told by nosey neighbors of the family. The second half of the book is an autobiography style, of Patty Berglund's (the mother) life, which is paralleled by their son Joey's life' A great work of litterary fiction, exposing the delicate balance of relationships between friends and family.

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The Help (Paperback)

By Kathryn Stockett

$16.00

ISBN-13: 9780425232200
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Berkley Trade, 4/2011

Other Editions of this Title

The story of black maids working for white families in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 60's. The story is told by three seperate narrators: Aibileen Clark, and Minny Jackson (who are both maids) and Eugenia Phelan (better known as Skeeter). skeeter has recently returned to Jackson, to find that she doesn't fit in with everyone else. As the story unfolds she learns more about "the help", and the dirty secrets of the women who employ them.

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Beach Music (Paperback)

By Pat Conroy

$16.00

ISBN-13: 9780553381535
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Dial Press Trade Paperback, 3/2002

Other Editions of this Title

This has been one of my favorite books, no matter how many times I read it. The story of a man trying to find peace after his wife's death. His peace is disrupted by a telegram from home. Forced to deal with the family he's avoided, the demons in his past, and an unusual mystery presented by old classmates. A book that leads to acceptance, understanding and maturity.

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