Books & Literature
Book Club: ‘American Lion’ sheds new light on Andrew Jackson
Jon Meacham is a very busy man. Busier than you. Busier than me. “He’ll only have about 10 minutes with you,” an assistant in his New York City office warns, before putting Meacham on the phone. (Updated: 02/09/10 8:15 AM )
A chilling yet fascinating view from bin Laden’s wife and son
“People are not born terrorists. Nor do they become terrorists in a single stroke,” Jean Sasson suggests early on in “Growing Up bin Laden: Osama’s Wife and Son Take Us Inside Their Secret World.” (Updated: 02/07/10 8:02 PM )
Drama of Wilson’s life, legacy is buried in detail
Just as the first World War tends to get swallowed up by the deep, dark shadow of its monumental second act, so too does Woodrow Wilson’s presidency tend to be overshadowed by the giant of 20th century presidents, Franklin Roosevelt. (Updated: 02/07/10 6:39 AM )
Does God exist? Novel tackles the great debate
Writing a novel that carries the weight of serious philosophic ideas is a tough job, and Rebecca Newberger Goldstein gives it her best shot. “36 Arguments” takes advantage of the worldwide debate heating up over the merits of faith and reason. The book has its charms, but it is a mixed effort. (Updated: 02/07/10 6:39 AM )
Editor’s Choice
Screen Epiphanies by Geoffrey Macnab; Palgrave Macmillan, 321 pages ($29). (Updated: 02/07/10 6:38 AM )
Books in brief
NONFICTION (Updated: 02/07/10 6:38 AM )
Best Sellers
Compiled from data from independent and chain bookstores, book wholesalers and independent distributors nationwide. (Updated: 02/07/10 6:38 AM )
Poetry: Maker’s Mark by Josh Smith & Liz Mariani
Maker's Mark
By Josh Smith & Liz Mariani
(In response to recent violence in the
Queen City, at Roxy's, Merge and elsewhere)
Does violence stain
a place
the batter dripping and drying
hard on the cupboards?
Our morning walk wakes
the space
the double-coast between here and there
I ask you:
does the air hold memories of avarice
stinging the nostrils like cold morning fog
on our daily tour de stade
beating a repentance from our heaving ribs
and aching bosom
an aching bosom still milk-less
Thinking:
we have no milk for the children
on this day of dreams and hopes
we have nothing to give them
but water washing away
what we hope will leave
after years
after centuries
after days
like this
(Updated: 02/09/10 11:48 AM )
By Josh Smith & Liz Mariani
(In response to recent violence in the
Queen City, at Roxy's, Merge and elsewhere)
Does violence stain
a place
the batter dripping and drying
hard on the cupboards?
Our morning walk wakes
the space
the double-coast between here and there
I ask you:
does the air hold memories of avarice
stinging the nostrils like cold morning fog
on our daily tour de stade
beating a repentance from our heaving ribs
and aching bosom
an aching bosom still milk-less
Thinking:
we have no milk for the children
on this day of dreams and hopes
we have nothing to give them
but water washing away
what we hope will leave
after years
after centuries
after days
like this
(Updated: 02/09/10 11:48 AM )
Poetry and Literature Calendar
TODAY, 7:30 p.m.: The Screening Room series reading featuring Antonio Crawford and Delilah Khalifani, plus a video by William Kothe. Additional reading slots available. Northtown Plaza Business Center, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst. (Updated: 02/07/10 6:39 AM )
‘Eat, Pray, Love’—then move on
OAK BROOK, Ill. — Eat, pray, love, and, sheesh, folks, relax. (Updated: 02/01/10 10:42 AM )
Poetry and Literature Calendar/ A list of readings and workshops
TODAY, 2p.m.: Road Less Traveled Theater Open Reading Series featuring spoken word artist N’are Ali Gault, and poets Celeste Lawson, Trudy Stern and Celia White. Additional reading slots available. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. $5. (Updated: 01/31/10 6:13 AM )
Writer’s Hallmark memoir has its moments
There’s form and then there’s content. (Updated: 01/31/10 6:13 AM )
Add yet another biography of the legendary rapper
Somehow, new Beatles biographies reach bookshelves each year, dispelling the myth that there are no new factual details to unearth about the Fab Four. Despite the fact that several very strong bios of icons like David Bowie, Brian Wilson and Led Zeppelin already exist, so, too, do authors find spicy details to break every so often. (Updated: 01/31/10 6:13 AM )
Stories spring from True West of the American imagination
They called him Victor. Eventually, that is. For the longest time, he had no name at all. He was “l’enfant sauvage” or just “le sauvage de l’Aveyron,” the little wild boy found naked in the woods outside Aveyron in southern France in 1797. (Updated: 01/31/10 6:12 AM )
Books in brief
CHILDREN’S (Updated: 01/31/10 6:12 AM )