Cuisine. Culture. Commentary.
“The Goldfinch” is intimidating. It is a 771 page hardcover that really weighs down my tote bag on my commute to work. I think that’s the reason I put off reading it for so long. But “long and heavy” is no longer a valid excuse when the novel is on every best list and then…
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When Amelia commits suicide by jumping off the roof of her elite New York City prep school, things don’t quite add up for her mother. Amelia was happy and never showed any of the signs, but Kate doesn’t start asking questions until she gets a mysterious text from a blocked number telling her Amelia didn’t…
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Louisa never ventured out of her small English town and was content working at a small café and spending time at home, doing nothing particularly exciting. Will, on the other hand, was constantly venturing out. He lived a fast life in London, making tons of money and spending his free time bungee jumping. Then he…
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“Go Ask Alice” has been used for years as a teaching tool for middle and high school students. It is a supposedly real account written by “Anonymous” (to maintain authenticity) that is gritty enough to caution young people against using drugs. Enough people told me how moved they were by the story that I decided…
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Jamie Ford’s Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet travels back in time to “The War Years,” as Henry, the main character, calls them. He was born and raised in Seattle; however, he is clearly Chinese, which makes him the recipient of endless taunting by his fellow students at the white prep school he attends…
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I will always refer to Ross Matthews as Ross the Intern. That was his title when he was introduced to me on The Tonight Show and that will forever be his title in my eyes. That’s because even though he’s grown up to have a talk show of his very own, he still approaches life…
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This book is very upfront about the fact that Jodi kills her husband. It tells you right from the outset. The rest of the book alternates between his and her perspectives to determine if the killing was warranted. Todd cheats on Jodi all the time so Jodi seems in the right…but she knows he cheats…
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Megan Abbott’s “Dare Me” allows you to perch on the bleachers to view the dark inner world of high school cheerleading. This is “Heathers” kind of dark. Addy has always been happy to play second fiddle to her best friend Beth. Beth rules the school and has a knack for crafting the perfect insult, the…
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Silver is a washed up musician. After making it big as part of a one-hit-wonder band, he now lives in the only apartment building in his suburban town along with other sad, middle aged, divorced men. He has made a mess of his life with no dating prospects and no relationship with his 18-year old…
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John Green’s novel is pure Young Adult fiction. It is written from the perspective of a 16-year old and the language is thus attainable…to a degree. You’ll find plenty of “whatever”s and other teen speak, but you’ll also find a number of words the book’s intended teen audience will only recognize if they are heavily…
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Peaches to Apples 