Happy New Year!

Most of our student readers are getting back into the swing of things but for those of you who don’t have a list of books a mile long (and even if you do) here are a couple of book recommendations for the New Year.

Tom Rachman’s Imperfectionists has received many excellent reviews since it first appeared on bookstore shelves in the spring of 2010. Rachman’s first novel has been described as “hilarious and heart-wrenching” by Christopher Buckley. And now the book is available in a slim paperback edition. I decided to read what all the fuss was about and found myself sucked into the world of Lloyd Burko and his coworkers at the unnamed English-language newspaper based in Rome. But be warned, this novel is not to be taken lightly. Each character has his (or her) own chapter in the book that is interwoven with their fellow coworker’s narrative to reveal the larger story. If you plan to attend the event with Tom Rachman on January 13^th at Innis Town Hall I recommend you read the book before going.

One book I was hoping to receive for Christmas (people never give me books anymore) was Charles Burns’ newest graphic novel, X’ed Out. I was introduced to Charles Burns in an English class, of all places, and was torn between the feelings of sheer terror and awe. Ever since then I have been waiting for something new by Mr. Burns and here it is. This time around I was prepared for the freaky story line and the bizarre visuals. And as always with Mr. Burns, I am left with the resounding question: “What does it all mean?”

 

In light of that very serious question, here is an amazing video from The New Yorker’s Book Bench. (I believe books can save my life but perhaps not in this way.)