My five favorite books published in 2005
Minzesheimer, vice president of the library's board of trustee, is a book critic for USA Today and WFUV-FM.
- The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion. A spare, eloquent memoir about the grief that followed the death of Didion's husband, fellow writer John Gregory Dunne, and the mortal illness of the couple's only child. The ultimate test of any book is whether it will endure. The Year of Magical Thinking will be read as long as the people we love die.
- Rules for Old Men Waiting, by Peter Pouncy. A debut novel by the retired president of Amherst College who vividily describes the final days of an historian who's reviewing his life, his marriage and the three wars that affected his family. The historian writes a final short story, which serves as a novel within the novel.
- Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin, A fresh look at the political genius of Abraham Lincoln, by a master of historic narrative. .
- Assassin's Gate, by George Packer. The best book yet on the war in Iraq, its historic roots, and where it may lead. Critical, yet balanced reporting and analysis by a writer for The New Yorker.
- Leonardo the Terrible Monster, by Mo Willems. My favoite new picture book; simple drawings about a lonely boy who scares easily and a monster who can’t scare anyone. Perfect for kids not yet ready for Harry Potter.