FLY BY WIRE by William Langewiesche

William Langewiesche’s analysis of all the factors which contributed to the “Miracle on the Hudson” is a story that matches the events themselves in terms of excitement. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, pilot of the Airbus A320 which hit a flock of geese, lost both engines, and landed in the Hudson River with no loss of life on January 15, 2009, has rightly been lauded for his performance and has become a popular hero. But he was not alone in the making of this miracle…

November 10, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: ,  Â· Posted in: New York City, Non-fiction

THE BROKEN TEAGLASS by Emily Arsenault

In Emily Arsenault’s THE BROKEN TEAGLASS, two young employees of a dictionary publishing company become obsessed with an unsolved murder. Billy Webb, who is twenty-four, joins the ranks of editorial assistants at the Samuelson Company, and soon befriends Mona Minot, a bright, aggressive, and forthright colleague. Together, they relieve the tedium of their jobs by digging out citations written by Dolores Beekmim, author of a non-existent book called “The Broken Teaglass.” Dolores’ mysterious citations appear to be some sort of confession, but what crime did she commit and why would she place incriminating information in old card files?

November 6, 2009 · Judi Clark · 3 Comments
Tags: ,  Â· Posted in: Contemporary, Debut Novel, Mystery/Suspense

QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE by Max Allan Collins

Writers are always telling each other to steal, but cover your tracks. So it’s funny that Max Allan Collins, in his new novel QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE, has decided to blatantly admit his inspiration by way of three epigrams at the beginning of the book. The epigrams are quotes from Dashiell Hammett, Akira Kurosawa and Sergio Leone, one novelist and two film directors who each told stories about lawless men who played one gang of criminals against another in the hope of getting paid by each. Perhaps Collins thought his rip off was too blatant and it was better to display rather than hide his appropriations. This was unnecessary because QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE stands very well on it’s own and merely nods to the works of these other artists.

October 27, 2009 · Judi Clark · One Comment
Tags: , , , , ,  Â· Posted in: Noir, Thriller/Spy/Caper, US Midwest, y Award Winning Author

THE CONFESSION OF EDWARD DAY by Valerie Martin

With THE CONFESSIONS OF EDWARD DAY, the Orange Prize award winning author Valerie Martin has created an engrossing fictional memoir. The title character guides the reader through his adventures as he strives for professional success on the stage in New York, while also fighting his personal demons.

September 30, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: , , , ,  Â· Posted in: Contemporary, Facing History, Reading Guide, US Mid-Atlantic, y Award Winning Author

IN THE KITCHEN by Monica Ali

There is one central point that the talented English author, Monica Ali, makes with her new novel, IN THE KITCHEN: Whether it’s London or an industrial town called Blantwistle, commerce has changed Great Britain.

August 24, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags:  Â· Posted in: Literary, United Kingdom, World Lit

GREETINGS FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE BY Monica McInerney

If you’re looking for a breezy, late-summer addition to your library, pick up a copy of Monica McInerney’s novel, GREETING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. A combination of an easy to follow main storyline combined with compelling subplots and a likable main character make it a quintessential beach book.

August 20, 2009 · Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: , ,  Â· Posted in: Contemporary, Family Matters, Ireland, Reading Guide