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Books on the Nightstand, Episode 21 (18:48)
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Today we start with a conversation about the many year-end best-of lists that have come out recently. How much attention do you pay to them and do they make you want to run out and buy more books?
Next, we offer a glimpse into the first four months of 2009, which are filled with books we’re excited about. Many of these are titles you’ll hear much more about on future episodes, so we’re keeping it short here… just whetting your appetite! [A note about the title links below: usually we link to LibraryThing, where you can get general info to take to your local bookstore. Since some of these books don't come out for four months, we've decided to link to the publishers' websites instead. We'll return to our normal format next time.]
Lastly, we present our usual “Two Books We Can’t Wait For You to Read.” Michael helps you keep your “eat healthy” resolution by talking about Whole Grains for Busy People by Lorna Sass. Ann tells us about Elsewhere USA by Dalton Conley, which looks at how the cultures of work and home life have changed over the last several decades.
Photo credit: Jay Heaviside
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e Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys, Delacorte Press hardcover
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I’m going down for the count here! Just kidding — well, halfway kidding. The lists, shelves, piles are too long, too full, too deep and I find myself back at that old line “so many vs so little regarding books and time.
But then here you are with upcoming books by two of my favorite authors for light but still toothsome (like that description?) writing — Binchy and Berg and the new Anne Michaels reminding me that I still haven’t read Fugitive Pieces after all this time. Ann, your last one really started bells and whistles and gongs going in my head — and I’m done with the child raising while working phase — but something tells me this one is one I need as soon as it’s out so Mr. Conley is on my radar.
Great one! Happy New Year and happy growing.
LOL, Dottie — thank you! Glad we can help you down to the mat … 10, 9, 8 …
Sorry, but there is just too much good stuff not to share!
I love End of the Year Best of Books Lists!!
With so many books coming out each year, the best of lists can sometimes point one to an undiscovered gem of a book.
The thing that also never fails to stop me dead in my tracks is when I see the words “This is my favorite book of the year.”
One of the things that I like the most about your pod cast is the “Two Books We Can’t Wait For You To Read” section, because they are like (mini) end of the year book lists.
Well Happy New (Reading) Year to you both,
Thomas, thank you!! We’re happy to have met you this year, and we so appreciate your comments and very kind words.
We also love the “Two Books” section, so I’m happy to hear that it is a favorite of yours.
All the best for a Happy New Year!
The end-of-year lists do seem a bit overwhelming, but I like seeing all the different books from bloggers who each have their own individual tastes. I definitely find books there that I don’t think I would find in the standard “Top 100 Books of the Year” lists.
I do think there are too many Best Of lists so I pretty much ignore them. I will look at some of the SciFi/Fantasy ones. Then I feel like Michael does because I haven’t read and/or heard of many of the titles. The same thing happens when I read the Hugo or World Fantasy Award ballots.
Too many books, not enough time!
Another great and informative podcast.
I just listened to this podcast — I cannot wait to read some of these books!
I am so glad that Anne Michaels is finally releasing a new book — I loved Fugitive Pieces.
A great collection of books. Happy to see Martha stewart book in the collection.
Thanks for posting.
Melisaa