Sally's Eclectic Reads

When you work at the library you serendipitously come across different reads through browsing, reading book/library magazines, and word of mouth. Here are some of the things I've read this past month.

The Gourmet Vegetarian Slow Cooker by Lynn Alley: I know what you're thinking. How are you going to say you read a cookbook? For those who love to cook and eat you read the cookbooks you check out. I've checked it out in the past, but had only made a few of the recipes. Now I've gotten through almost all the Indian ones and some of the Mexico and southwest. Each recipe has a brief description and maybe story from the author. I highly recommend this book, the recipes are easy to follow, not too time consuming, are delicious, and many can be made vegan by trading out cream for coconut milk. 

Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen: Hilarious 4-5 panel comics depicting adulthood in all its childish glory. My personal favorites: when your cat wakes you at 3AM, good vs. bad relationships, and how people tell you you look tired when you ARE tired. Andersen manages to illustrate so many life truths with such a small amount of space and color. This is a light read, but can stand several rereadings before you bring it back to the library!

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: On the outside Ove looks like a spiteful, grumpy old man. Each morning he walks around his neighborhood kicking and inspecting things to make sure nothing has been disturbed by hooligans overnight. Backman alternates Ove's present day story with his backstory throughout the novel. The reader begins to sympathize with Ove while simultaneously growing more and more surprised by the amazing life he has lived. Simply put this book has a big heart, many laughs, and unexpected characters.

The Unwritten:Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity by Mike Carey: Imagine you are the son of a famous author who wrote a beloved Harry Potter-esque series. And now imagine your dad abandoned you long ago, your mother is dead, and all you have to live off of is signing your dad's books because Tommy Taylor was based off of you. This is how the story begins, but it is much more than a story. This graphic novel is a fantasy mystery where Tom searches for answers: to the whereabouts of his father, why people are hunting him, who is the mysterious woman who both helps and harms him? Riveting and I can't wait to read the next one!

The Vegetarian by Han Kang: Yeonge-Hye lived a relatively normal, average life with her normal, average husband. Then one night she has a dream of blood, gore, fear. As a result she purges her fridge, her home, and her meals of meat. What at first appears to be a simple dietary preference slowly unravels her life and those around her as they try to force her to bend to their will. This story is mostly told from the outside point of view of her husband, brother-in-law, and sister. This short book is dark and haunting. If you like Joyce Carol Oates you'll find this a good read.

Dream Logic by David Mack: David Mack has written the graphic series Kabuki and done artwork for numerous other writers/artists (Chuck Paluhniuk, Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman). In this volume is his collection of drawings, dream journal entries, scrapbook-style entries of places he's gone, and beautiful art he has made. You don't need to be initiated to his other works to appreciate this book of mixed media, musings, and inspiration. It made me want to read Kabuki (which I shall review for next month!).

A Devil and Her Love Song by Miyoshi Tomori: Maria just transferred high schools and doesn't make friends easily due to her sharp tongue. She does manage to get the attention of Meguro and Yusuke after they hear her beautiful singing. Who is this devilish girl with an angelic voice? Read on to understand Maria's circumstances and why she just can't get along. This shojo manga is cute, has compelling characters, and really has you rooting for Maria! 

Originally Posted by SallyB on May 3, 2016