The Worldly Philosophers

The worldly philosophers:  the lives, times, and ideas of the great economic thinkers/Robert Heilbroner 365 pgs.

This is an update of a classic book that I read years ago as an undergrad.  Heilbroner has a perfect way of mixing biographical information with the more technical and philosophical ideas of each of these great economic minds.  I had forgotten how much fun it is reading about the oddities of Thorstein Veblen and David Ricardo not to mention J. M. Keynes whose ideas were very well represented in my economics education many years ago.  It is great that Heilbroner did such a good job of updating this book and I wonder now that he has died if updates will continue.  Interesting in the final chapter when he states that economics does not lend itself to the huge philosophical undertakings of the past greats anymore.  Perhaps since so many of these theories exist, there isn't really room for it anymore but most often, modern economists focus on smaller issues and specialize. Still a good book for those interested in the subject.

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Kayak Morning, reflections on love, grief and small boats, by Roger Rosenblatt

This brief series of essays continues the story of how the author came to terms with the grief of losing his daughter in the prime of her life. In Making toast, this loss was new and raw. His daughter, a 38-year-old doctor, died suddenly of an undetected heart defect leaving behind a devastated young family. The author and his wife move in with their son-in-law and three small grandchildren. Somehow the rhythm of life, as exemplified in the making of toast for the children each morning, will continue. In the new book, set over two years later, the author spends much his time alone in a kayak, floating on an estuary near their home in Quogue on Long Island and reflecting on love and loss as he continues the grieving process. 146 pp.

Death comes to Pemberley, by P. D. James

It was with great anticipation that I checked this out. The reviews were glowing, saying that James had really nailed Jane Austen’s voice and this mystery set at Pemberley some six years or so after Elizabeth and Darcy marry and set up a household, was a worthy successor of Pride and prejudice. I will say that the opening chapters capture her style beautifully and retold the story up to this point very well so that those not familiar with Austen’s masterpiece, or for whom the details were somewhat fuzzy, could easily follow the main characters into this story. However, I found the rest of the book much less engaging and in the end suggest returning to the original. Not as off-the-wall as Pride and Prejudice and zombies perhaps, which I haven’t any interest in reading, but not that fabulous either. 291 pp.

The Last Brother

The Last Brother by Nathacha Appanah 164 pgs.

In 1944, nine-year-old Raj is unaware of events outside of his village as he is being kept busy with his two brothers trying to keep up with chores and avoid beatings by his father.  His brothers die tragically in a flash flood and he feels very alone.  A particularly brutal beating at the hands of his father lands Raj in the hospital of a prison camp.  Here he meets David, a boy his own age who is a refugee, one of a group of Jewish exiles now indefinitely detained in Mauritius (the island where the book takes place.). Raj is determined to help David escape and manages to hide him for awhile at home but then they have to go on the lam together.  This book is part of the Morning News Tournament of books and I have the fantasy that I can read the rest of these by the time the tournament starts (I've read several already).  This book is well written but heartbreaking.  

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Crossed

Crossed by Ally Condie, 367 pages

Crossed is the second book in Condie's Matched trilogy. Matched kicked off the dystopian series with the story of a mistake made in Cassia's match to Xander... or Ky, an aberration who is not allowed to marry. The first book was a good setup for this universe and showed some promise for the rest of the series. Condie dropped the ball with Crossed, however. This second novel is written from the points of view of both Cassia and Ky, who narrate alternate chapters. This could work — it's certainly worked for other authors in other books — but Condie makes no difference in the voices, making it REALLY hard to figure out who's speaking. It's a shame, because I could otherwise have been persuaded to read more of this series; it's not likely now though.

The Hunger Games trilogy

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, 374 pages
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, 391 pages
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, 390 pages

This was a reread for me. The first time I read Collins' tale of tough-as-nails Katniss as she fights for her life in an annual battle royale and the political quagmire afterward, I was immediately taken in by the quick pace and nuanced characters. Well, it was no fluke. (And I still like the ending, no matter what anybody else says.) Same thing happened this time around for me. It was definitely worth the reread though, especially with the first movie coming out soon. Here's hoping it's worthy of the books.

Between shades of gray by Ruta Sepytys 344 pages

This is a chapter of history rarely mentioned in children's literature: Joseph Stalin's reign of terror. On June 14th, 1941, 15-year-old Lina, her younger brother and her mother are arrested by Soviet soldiers and sent via boxcar from her Lithuanian homeland to Siberia. Her father had been arrested previously, but Lina hopes that they will be reunited. Her mother seems ludicrously optimistic despite their horrible conditions. Like Anne Frank Lina is driven to draw pictures illustrating their plight even though she knows that if her drawings are discovered there could be horrible consequences. This is an important book but it is so overwhelming bleak. I listened to the audio version and it was almost difficult to return to this tale knowing that the ending was likely to be brutal. The author researched this story and uses flashbacks to lighten the tale a bit with happy past memories. Her brave mother creates a larger family with their fellow prisoners, even though many are selfish and negative. Lina meets a fellow traveler, Andrus for whom she reluctantly develops deep feelings. Lovely writing, but oh, so tragic.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver 441 pages

Yes, another dystopian novel beginning with the letter D. In ninety-five days Lena will turn 18 and will undergo "The Cure". The Cure is an advanced form of a lobotomy which dramatically alters the personality of each young adult. They are forever saved from "forbidden love" and enter into a marriage arranged by the government. Of course, some might require repeat operations. Lena's mother committed suicide after her third "operation". Lena's memories of a mother who sang and danced and loved. All activities are forbidden now. Lena's best and only friend Hana seems destined for a finer life; but even she seems a bit rebellious. She encourages Lena to break curfew to attend a clandestine music concert. Lena fears anything that could cause her trouble. Afterall she already has a bad reputation because of her mother's history. Then Lena meets and falls in love with Alex. She begins to question everything she has been taught and wonders if life is possible in the wilds beyond the electrified wall. Pretty good stuff, but still not quite as fine as Divergent.

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Han 149 pages

Clara Lee is a true believer of the importance of good luck. And luckily, she has a grandpa who is gifted at interpreting dreams. He tells her that her bad nightmare actually means that she will have good luck. She has a fabulous day at school until her luck changes and she finds herself in everyone's bad graces. Her dream is to win the Little Miss Apple Pie pageant. Her classmate tells her that she is unlikely to win because she is hardly all-American. This book will appeal to fans of Judy Moody and Clementine. Clara is a sweet heart.

Guys Read: Thriller edited by Jons Scieszka 272 pages

Popular, award winning author and former teacher, Jon Scieszka has made boys literacy his mission. He created a web site ten years ago with recommendations of titles to spark an interest in boys. He also started compiling genre collections. This is his second collection of original short stories by top authors: M T Anderson, James Patterson, Walter Dean Myers, Margaret Peterson Haddix and Anthony Horowitz. The theme is horror sometimes spiked with a dash of humor. Probably my favorite was by Patrick Carman, Ghost Vision Glasses. Kyle is a big fan of weird stuff. He sends away for a bunch of stuff advertised in a vintage Archie comic book. The only response to his 27 requests is a pair of special glasses guaranteed to let the wearer see ghosts. Not only do they work, but they help solve his problem with the neighborhood bully, Scotty Vincent.