Staff Picks
We asked the staff at OPL to recommend some books. Here are some of their responses.
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The Bromeliad Trilogy: Truckers, Diggers, and Wings by Terry Pratchett, HarperCollins 2003
Allegedly a children's book, this is a hilarious sendup of religion, politics and mortal self importance that is more thoroughly appreciated by adults. Children, however, will enjoy the adventure-filled story and plucky heroes and heroines, all four inches tall.
selected by Irene Herz
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Storied City by Leonard Marcus, Dutton 2003
A fascinating walking-tour guide to New York City featuring the origin of many best-loved children's books which were inspired by New York locales.
selected by Sally Dow
- Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon by Leonard Marcus, Morrow 1992, 1999.
A well-researched, yet very accessible and chatty biography of one of the most prolific and popular author/illustrators ever of children's books. Her beloved picture book "Goodnight Moon" has become a classic on nursery bookshelves, as have dozens of other of her well loved books. Insight into the growing importance of children's book publishing in the early and mid-20th century is also afforded. Highly recommended for all lovers of children's books.
selected by Sally Dow
Can You Greet the Whole Wide World? by Lezlie Evans
"Each double page spread introduces a phrase that everyone, all over the world uses during the course of a day, from "Good Morning" to "Good Night", in 12 different languages."
selected by Marci Dressler
- Melissa Parkington's Beautiful, Beautiful Hair by Pat Brisson
"Melissa has always been known for her beautiful, flowing hair. Now that she is older, she would rather be known for doing something special. When she receives a compliment for her kindness, she decides to become the kindest person ever. In the end, she donates her beautiful hair to an organization that makes wigs for children who can't grown their own hair. Now she is know as Melissa of the Beautiful, Beautiful Heart."
selected by Marci Dressler
Fortunate Son by Walter Mosley
A beautifully written tale of two "brothers", one white, one black, both fortunate andunfortunate. Sad, but ultimately uplifting.
selected by Irene Herz
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Politics Lost by Joe Klein
is a delightfully snarky look at the sad state of political campaigns in America. While he tracks left, Klein focuses equally on Republicans and Democrats, showing how professional handlers and pollsters have drained candidates and campaigns of color and spontaneity. It's a great read and very enlightening. (Klein, a columnist for Newsweek, who lives in Pelham, wrote the bestselling political novel, Primary Colors, originially credited to Anomymous.
selected by Ed Falcone
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The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson
Evokes the sights, sounds and smells of turn-of-the-century Vienna. The book has plot, characterization, vivid descriptions and page turning suspense. I can't bear to put it down.
selected by Sally Dow
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Jazz A-B-Z
by Wynton Marsalis
To celebrate both National Poetry Month and Jazz Appreciation Month (April), read Jazz A-B-Z: an A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits This unusual alphabet book contains 26 brief biographical sketches of jazz greats written in verse form.
selected by Marci Dressler
- Marley and Me. Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
by John Grogan
This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. It just makes you feel good.
selected by Carry Cubillos
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The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
Although the plot involves a visit to another planet, this book is far more than science fiction. It's a novel of ideas, philosophy and religion; a deep examination of the question of good and evil. The dialogue is at times hilarious, the characterizations rich.
selected by Irene Herz
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The Collected Works of John le Carre: The author has admirably documented, in fiction form, the major international trends and issues of the late 20th century: the Cold War, arms dealing, drug trafficking and superpower arrogance. (Le Carre is best known for his fictional spy, George Smiley who appears in "The Spy Who Came Into the Cold," and "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." Le Carre's last novel, "The Constant Gardener," was recently made into a movie)
selected by John Hawkins
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Wings of morning: the story of the last American bomber shot down over Germany in WW II by Thomas Childres:
a story of people under terrible stress by a professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
selected by Jack Oxton
- When We Touch
by Shannon Drake:
A historical romance about a family that gets involved with spiritualists, seances and Jack the Ripper
selected by Darlene Terenchalk
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Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel:
Sensual, beautifully descriptive writng evokes the passionate but doomed love of a young woman in
turn of the century Mexico.
selected by Sally Dow
- Jim The Boy by Tony Earley: the story of a boy growing up in North Carolina during the Depression, with his mother and three bachelor uncles. It is a wonderful coming-of-age novel that will appeal to adults and teens.
selected by Joyce Koyner