Recently reviewed in InfoSoup
Check out the latest reviews added to InfoSoup. You never know when you'll find something you'd like to check out (or avoid!). If you would like to add a review to InfoSoup, view our screencast on Using Community Reviews in InfoSoup for some help in getting started.
Fiction
The King of America by Samantha Gillison
Gillison aptly describes the beauty and horror of an indigenous tribe in Indonesia as well as describing the conflict of an extremely wealthy young American man. The author transports the reader to the dense humid climate, tasting the salty sea air and visualizing the muddy ground. The reader also experiences the internal and external conflict of the main character, loosely based on Michael Rockefeller, who disappeared in 1961. Highly recommended--this story will haunt your thoughts for many days after you have finished it.
Nonfiction
Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis by Rowan Jacobsen
My Best Read of 2008. Great comprehensive book covering bee behavior, science of beekeeping, possible causes behind Colony Collapse Disorder, and applications for re-building a healthy bee population.
Overdrive Downloadable Audiobook
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Fabulous (for adults and children). I was hooked from the very start, when I first heard the reader (James Avery) start to talk. His melodious, expressive voice really added to the atmosphere, and made the book come alive. (The musical interludes were also exceptional.) But it's still Bud who is the star of the show. He's brave and funny, but very, very real. And the Depression setting couldn't be more fitting in these tough economic times. I can't recommend this enough.
Movie
Sanjuro
A technically beautiful film by the great Japanese director, Kurosawa. A period action film with injections of humor amid the sword play. Kurosawa did several samarai movies and pioneered many elements of modern film. Often his stories have been lifted by other directors and made into other films, e.g. The Magnificent Seven.
Graphic Novel
Case Closed. Volume 19 by Gosho Aoyama
An outstanding manga series. Brilliant writing, clever cases, fun and likable characters, and the romance between Rachel and Jimmy (better known as Ran and Shinichi to the original Meitantei Conan fans) is always a sweet touch. Not to mention the tension packed, exciting chapters when the Black Organization appears. Even after more than a decade, this series is still going strong. If only the library would continue purchasing this series...I'd be happy to check it out (hint, hint). [Note from InfoSoup: Hint taken - this title is on order.]
Picture Books
How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
How would you feel if you were hungry every day? How would you feel if you were brought a map instead of food one day? Uri was angry when this happened to him. The days of hunger continued, but Uri read the map and dreamed of far-off places and he forgot his hunger for a while. The value of the map grew and Uri learned that dreams can be as important as food, even when you are very hungry. This gentle picture book is a thoughtful and positive introduction to poverty.
Marsupial Sue presents the Runaway Pancake by John Lithgow
The illustrations in this book are magical and giggle-inspiring! And the story is equally engaging. The Runaway Pancake sings a taunting song as he escapes from almost everyone. My son immediately learned the sing-song chant and participates in the story by singing the pancake's song on every page. This is a fun read aloud for the entire family!
What have you checked out lately? Add a review in the comments.
Fiction
The King of America by Samantha Gillison
Gillison aptly describes the beauty and horror of an indigenous tribe in Indonesia as well as describing the conflict of an extremely wealthy young American man. The author transports the reader to the dense humid climate, tasting the salty sea air and visualizing the muddy ground. The reader also experiences the internal and external conflict of the main character, loosely based on Michael Rockefeller, who disappeared in 1961. Highly recommended--this story will haunt your thoughts for many days after you have finished it.
Nonfiction
Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis by Rowan Jacobsen
My Best Read of 2008. Great comprehensive book covering bee behavior, science of beekeeping, possible causes behind Colony Collapse Disorder, and applications for re-building a healthy bee population.
Overdrive Downloadable Audiobook
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Fabulous (for adults and children). I was hooked from the very start, when I first heard the reader (James Avery) start to talk. His melodious, expressive voice really added to the atmosphere, and made the book come alive. (The musical interludes were also exceptional.) But it's still Bud who is the star of the show. He's brave and funny, but very, very real. And the Depression setting couldn't be more fitting in these tough economic times. I can't recommend this enough.
Movie
Sanjuro
A technically beautiful film by the great Japanese director, Kurosawa. A period action film with injections of humor amid the sword play. Kurosawa did several samarai movies and pioneered many elements of modern film. Often his stories have been lifted by other directors and made into other films, e.g. The Magnificent Seven.
Graphic Novel
Case Closed. Volume 19 by Gosho Aoyama
An outstanding manga series. Brilliant writing, clever cases, fun and likable characters, and the romance between Rachel and Jimmy (better known as Ran and Shinichi to the original Meitantei Conan fans) is always a sweet touch. Not to mention the tension packed, exciting chapters when the Black Organization appears. Even after more than a decade, this series is still going strong. If only the library would continue purchasing this series...I'd be happy to check it out (hint, hint). [Note from InfoSoup: Hint taken - this title is on order.]
Picture Books
How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
How would you feel if you were hungry every day? How would you feel if you were brought a map instead of food one day? Uri was angry when this happened to him. The days of hunger continued, but Uri read the map and dreamed of far-off places and he forgot his hunger for a while. The value of the map grew and Uri learned that dreams can be as important as food, even when you are very hungry. This gentle picture book is a thoughtful and positive introduction to poverty.
Marsupial Sue presents the Runaway Pancake by John Lithgow
The illustrations in this book are magical and giggle-inspiring! And the story is equally engaging. The Runaway Pancake sings a taunting song as he escapes from almost everyone. My son immediately learned the sing-song chant and participates in the story by singing the pancake's song on every page. This is a fun read aloud for the entire family!
What have you checked out lately? Add a review in the comments.
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