Here are the books and recommendations of Assistant Librarian Kathy McGilberry. McGilberry’s choices just came off the display near the front desk and Circulation Librarian Janice Saaranen’s went on. Stop by the library to see what books staff members recommend.
The Areas of My Expertise by John Hodgman–This compendium of “complete world knowledge compiled with instructive annotation and arranged in useful order” by the Daily Show contributor and PC impersonator will have you wiping away tears of laughter. Hodgman’s comic writing recalls the best of the glory days of the National Lampoon. The list of 700 different hobo names is priceless.
Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie–Hands down, the best book I read in 2007. I’m ashamed, as a native Oklahoman, that it took the Centennial and the “Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma” program before I finally picked up this American classic–for Woody Guthrie’s voice is the voice of my grandparents and parents, and his book is genuine art. Part autobiography and part stream-of-consciousness narrative that predates Jack Kerouac and the Beats, this book is stunningly brilliant. Woody’s drawings evoke both sadness and celebration, and his description of the doins’ underneath a microscope is worthy of Joyce, or Leary, depending on your perspective.
Gastroanomalies by James Lileks–As much as I hate to praise anything written by a right-winger, this book from the webmaster of lileks.com is side-splittingly funny. Lileks, for those of you who have never encountered him before, is a newspaperman who became an internet sensation with his “Gallery of Regrettable Food” and other curiosities from the Bad Taste 1950s. He has since become a radio host, podcaster, and author of several books detailing the asthetic failures of 20th Century America. This is the sort of book you pick up when you want to forget about politics, climate change, Dick Cheney, the mortgage crisis, Vladimir Putin and the dearth of really good plate lunches these days.
Hell in a Handbasket by Tom Tomorrow–This is the story of American government during the Bush years. Frank Rich did a yeoman’s job in “The Greatest Story Ever Sold,” Al Gore got down to the nitty-gritty of just how and why our great experiment in democracy is threatened in “The Assault on Reason,” and even Vincent Bugliosi has weighed in on our current mess. But Tom Tomorrow puts it all together in a quick, readable and colorful package that tells it straight, and has the benefit of page after page of gallows humor and biting, bitter wit.
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins–The comic genius’s masterwork is a tale of love, lust, and immortality. You’ll get to know Alobar and his mate Kudra, and you’ll root for them to reunite after they unfortunately wind up in different dimensions. You’ll also get a new appreciation of the beet. A colorful cast of characters includes the god Pan, a fellow named Bingo Pajama, and the mysterious Bandaloop Doctors, who might be mistaken for Illuminati by some. The master of metaphor is at his hilarious best with this novel, and the comic moments are too numerous to count. Once the four interwoven stories come together in New Orleans, the reader is rewarded with a satisfying ending and a little bit of enlightenment to boot.
The Moose That Roared by Keith Scott–Somewhere between Mickey Mouse and South Park lies the heart of animation, and that heart beats in the chest of a moose. There’s never been a goofier visage than that of Bullwinkle J. Moose. There’s never been a more perfect union of voice actors and animated creatures. There’s never been a better villain than Boris Badinov, unless you consider Snideley Whiplash. From side features like “Fractured Fairy Tales” to blackouts that inspired the 60s hit “Laugh-In,” Bullwinkle had it all. This history of Jay Ward Studios and the two shows that became “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show” is a fascinating must-read for fans of the funnies.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving–Rich detail, outlandish and yet all-too-believeable plot turns, some familiar Irving touches, and an unforgettable title character all come together in this tapestry of faith, fate, and friendship. Any list of favorite novels, for me, will always include this one. Owen Meany (represented poorly in the movie Simon Birch) is both a ridiculous and heroic figure, and gives hope to those who might consider their own “freakishness” a liability rather than a gift. The narrator John Wheelwright, representing the author, wrestles with the uncertainty of life, but Owen Meany has the answers.
The Secret History of the World, as Laid Down by the Secret Societies, by Mark Booth–Everything from the Rosicrucians to the Masons is included in this march through earthly history. A book purporting to reveal secrets kept for millennia would surely be universally ridiculed by the powers that be, and this one has been, and soundly. To add to the mystery, Booth calls himself by another name in the British edition. Students of esoterica will find much that is familiar, and those of a more traditional mind will find much that is heretical. So take your stance: you’ll either love this book or hate it. But believe it? It’s as good a theory as some, and quite entertaining.
The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout–The Harvard psychology professor explains the banality (and the prevalance) of human evil with this layman’s guide to the personality disorder that we all encounter, but so seldom identify. Women especially should read this book, for sociopathy is a predominately male disorder, and forewarned is forearmed. Stout’s “13 Rules for Dealing with Sociopaths” is invaluable for those unfortunate enough to know one of these people, and absolutely necessary for those who think they might be in a relationship with one. It explains why some people, sadly, cannot be helped.
A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens–The perfect opening line gives way to the perfect novel. This most accessible of classics can be read as history, adventure, morality tale, character study, love story, political warning, or simply as it was written: a serial. This is one of just a few novels I try to re-read every decade or so. It’s lyrical language sends me to another place, and its restraint keeps me from getting bogged down in “all that David Copperfield” stuff. And yes, its Dickensian sentimentality still gets me every time. Self-sacrifice is still noble in the 21st Century, I hope.
McBook 
You must be logged in to post a comment.