BOTNS Books Podcast #87: Ice-Cold Pages

Jul 20

BOTNS Books Podcast #87: Ice-Cold Pages

By Michael Kindness Podcasts Add comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:00 — 13.8MB)

Two listeners bring us up-to-date on book prjects they have undertaken. It’s the dog days of Summer (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least), but these books will have you reaching for a blanket. Our “Two Books We Can’t Wait For You to Read” are both paperbacks this time.

Listener Projects

Nicky, from the UK, has helped implement, at her local library, a new program which gives people with disabilities special services such as free audio book and DVD rentals, no late fees and book delivery. Chris emailed us a few years ago, asking if we knew of any services which would notify him when his favorite authors had new books out. We couldn’t think of any and he never found one, so he created one that is now available to everyone. Check out Reader Alert; it’s wonderful! Way to go Nicky and Chris!

When I raved about Kings of the Earth, I forgot to mention that Jon Clinch, the author, had used a true story as his inspiration for the novel. Several BOTNS listeners wrote in to mention the documentary Brother’s Keeper, which told the story of the four Ward brothers. It’s a documentary that Ann has seen and loved, and that I have in my Netflix queue.

Ice-Cold Pages

Recently, in the midst of a New England heatwave, Ann asked our Facebook followers for their favorite reads set in a cold climate. We got an avalanche of responses. (sorry) Some of the most often-recommended titles were To Build a Fire by Jack London, Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, The Terror by Dan Simmons and Smilla’s Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg, which was The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo of it’s time (a Scandinavian mystery that came out of nowhere and sold like mad). One book that caught both my and Ann’s attention was The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin, the true account of a late 19th-century storm that trapped a group of children in their one-room schoolhouse. You can see the full thread of recommendations here.

Two Books We Can’t Wait For You to Read

The Thieves of Manhattan by Adam Langer has been getting stellar reviews so, even though I haven’t read it yet, I feel confident recommending this paperback original set in the New York publishing world. It’s about a hapless, aspiring writer caught up in a fake memoir scheme. Ann tells us about Border Songs by Jim Lynch. Newly released in paperback, this novel tells the story of Brandon Vanderkool who, despite being uninterested in his new job as a guard along the Washington-Canadian border, actually excels at catching illegal aliens and drug-runners.

Joel

Adam Langer’s first two books, Crossing California and its sequel, The Washington Story, are two of my very favorite books. He follows the lives of a bunch of mostly-Jewish kids growing up on the north side of Chicago in the late ’70s and early ’80s, creating some of most vivid, memorable, and funny – so funny, and I rarely laugh while reading – characters I have ever encountered.

I am bad at talking up things I like, but really, read them, someone, please!
Joel

Adam Langer’s first two books, Crossing California and its sequel, The Washington Story, are two of my very favorite books. He follows the lives of a bunch of mostly-Jewish kids growing up on the north side of Chicago in the late ’70s and early ’80s, creating some of most vivid, memorable, and funny – so funny, and I rarely laugh while reading – characters I have ever encountered.

I am bad at talking up things I like, but really, read them, someone, please!
http://carolinebyline.blogspot.com caroline starr rose

I absolutely loved INTO THIN AIR. Smilla has been sititng on my shelf for years. Better get around to it!
http://carolinebyline.blogspot.com caroline starr rose

I absolutely loved INTO THIN AIR. Smilla has been sititng on my shelf for years. Better get around to it!
http://erinreads.wordpress.com Erin

I’m so happy you guys chose to discuss “Thieves of Manhattan”! I just picked up a copy the other day and the first few pages completely drew me in. I do have a long plane ride coming up, so maybe I’ll save it for that!
http://erinreads.wordpress.com Erin

I’m so happy you guys chose to discuss “Thieves of Manhattan”! I just picked up a copy the other day and the first few pages completely drew me in. I do have a long plane ride coming up, so maybe I’ll save it for that!
http://readeralert.com Chris

Thanks for mentioning my little project, http://readeralert.com I was so excited to hear it on the podcast.
http://readeralert.com Chris

Thanks for mentioning my little project, http://readeralert.com I was so excited to hear it on the podcast.
Amy Greeman

I read Into Thin Air obsessively when it first came out–at least two or three times; and I got really into all the “Everest” books at the time. It really hit home for some reason, and I was gratified to see you mention it here!
Amy Greeman

I read Into Thin Air obsessively when it first came out–at least two or three times; and I got really into all the “Everest” books at the time. It really hit home for some reason, and I was gratified to see you mention it here!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Amy, you should listen to the audio — Krakauer reads it, and it’s amazing. My favorite audio ever.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Chris, thanks for sharing it with us!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Amy, you should listen to the audio — Krakauer reads it, and it’s amazing. My favorite audio ever.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Chris, thanks for sharing it with us!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

OK, Joel, you sold me. Crossing California is now on my TBR list. Thanks!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

OK, Joel, you sold me. Crossing California is now on my TBR list. Thanks!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Caroline, Smilla is *great*! Hope you enjoy.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Hope you’re going somewhere cool!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Caroline, Smilla is *great*! Hope you enjoy.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Hope you’re going somewhere cool!
http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/ Melissa W.

I just listened to the podcast a few days ago and the book Thieves of Manhatten reminded me of what happened with A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. I believe I read just before the controversy or just after (anyways it was in a very short time frame either way) and while I was listening to the final segment, I couldn’t help but think of that particular book while listening to the description of it.
http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/ Melissa W.

I just listened to the podcast a few days ago and the book Thieves of Manhatten reminded me of what happened with A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. I believe I read just before the controversy or just after (anyways it was in a very short time frame either way) and while I was listening to the final segment, I couldn’t help but think of that particular book while listening to the description of it.
http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/ Melissa W.

I am merely using the James Frey book as an example.
http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/ Melissa W.

I am merely using the James Frey book as an example.
http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/ Melissa W.

I am also intrigued with Border Songs, as I actually know an area in my own town where you can see the ditches and farms in another country. Its very strange to think that one could cross the border (illegally of course) just across a ditch and on to the road that is beside you. I live in a border town of sorts and I see Washington plates quite often when running errands and when the Greenback is better than the Loonie, we often see a lot of Washington State plates at places at Costco, which is just up from the border about 5 min.
http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/ Melissa W.

I am also intrigued with Border Songs, as I actually know an area in my own town where you can see the ditches and farms in another country. Its very strange to think that one could cross the border (illegally of course) just across a ditch and on to the road that is beside you. I live in a border town of sorts and I see Washington plates quite often when running errands and when the Greenback is better than the Loonie, we often see a lot of Washington State plates at places at Costco, which is just up from the border about 5 min.