During the 1970’s Sue Hubbell and her husband, both faculty members at Brown University, dropped out and went back to the land. They purchased an idyllic 90-acre farm in the Missouri Ozarks, but after a few years Sue’s husband left her. A Country Year recounts her first year on her own as novice beekeeper and solitary observer of nature. She writes here in insightful, elegant prose (with a lot of humor thrown in) about all the creatures that surround her, from chickens to coyotes. Her favorites, though, are much-maligned creatures such as snakes, bats, and spiders. In 43 delightful essays she shows us how they all play a part in the scheme of things - mostly beneficial or, at least, benign. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Ruth H., North County Regional

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Jon Katz plucks the heartstrings of even the casual dog lover in his narrative A Dog Year. As his tale begins, Katz, a well-respected journalist, paints his idyllic life, working from home with his steadfast Lab companions, Julius and Stanley cozy at his feet. Even at the risk of disturbing this enviable scene, Jon adopts the dynamic, yet unstable, Devon. He knows not only that border collies are incredibly intelligent working dogs, but that they can also be bored, unpredictable, and disruptive. They are not naturally suited to suburban dog life. Though not without struggle, Jon wins his border collie’s trust and respect. Despite any misgivings Jon had about the breed, he ends up adopting Devon’s cousin, Homer, before his dog year is out.

Reviewed by Lydia L., Main Library

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Have you ever thought about sitting down and reading an entire volume of an encyclopedia set? Many of us have thought about it, but A.J. Jacobs actually reads not one, but the entire set of the Encyclopedia Britannica---all 33,000 pages! As he reads, Jacobs, a magazine writer and editor, shares interesting and amazing facts in an A-Z format. Interspersed with these facts are hilarious commentary and details of his personal life that include trying to define intelligence and vying to be the "smartest person in the world." He becomes a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, interviews Alex Trebek and the guy with the highest recorded IQ. The result is an entertaining, condensed version of the EB.

Reviewed by Heidi F., North County Regional

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Recovering after a string of unsuccessful relationships, Liz Gilbert takes a yearlong journey immersing herself in fabulous cuisine, divine transcendence, and then equanimity between body and soul. During her first four months, Liz learns Italian and masters the art of finding the best food in town. Next, she calms her “monkey mind” and reclaims her inner peace through a prolonged stay at her Guru’s ashram near Bombay, without traveling at all throughout the Indian subcontinent. Finally, Liz seeks balance between her inner and outer selves in Indonesia. Bali’s cultural peculiarities are an odd backdrop to her process of a reintegrating romantic intimacy into her life, but her wry and intelligent story-telling, spiced with a dash of self deprecation, propels her travelogue.

Reviewed by Lydia T., Main Library

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Rebekah Nathan (a pseudonym), is a cultural anthropologist and had been a professor of anthropology for 15 years at AnyU. After auditing some courses, she noticed a disconnect between how faculty and the students saw the University. During her sabbatical year, Prof. Nathan decided to research student life at her own institution. As she had with her fieldwork in Tonga, she lived among the studied population (college freshmen) including residing in student housing. Her observations raised a stir in academic circles but will be familiar to anyone who has been a resident college student, although the students seem to have more, especially electronic, “stuff”. Since publication of this book, the author has been identified as Professor Cathy Small of Northern Arizona University.

Reviewed by John C., Main Library

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Barbara Kingsolver and her family lived in Arizona during the school year and out on their Virginia farm during the summer. As their family became more aware of the vast distances most of their food traveled to reach them, they decided maybe it was time to move to the farm full time and attempt to grow all their own food for a year. They start their project in March and succeed in eating mostly home grown food for an entire year. Interspersed throughout their story are interesting facts about our food, farming and local eating. This is a fascinating look at a first-hand account of eating locally – full of recipes and great tips to start your own local eating adventure.

Reviewed by Jessica B., University City Regional

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Personal spending drives economies worldwide, but individually we may often consume on auto-pilot. Award-winning journalist Judith Levine tries to disengage by consciously avoiding unnecessary purchases, and documenting the journey chronologically in “Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping.” By realigning her endeavors with her passions rather than her purchases, the author’s self-perception shifts, energizing her project, at least initially. Her enthusiasm soon wears thin, as her supplies run out, though. Her evolving definition of necessity puts her in quandaries, particularly with her partner, Paul. Are Q-tips a necessity? Does it count if friends treat you to a coffee or a meal? These personal choices have no clear-cut correct answers, but monitoring them highlights the fascinating complexities of human consumption patterns.

Reviewed by Lydia T., Main Library

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Tom Parker Bowles is on a mission: to eat the most dangerous food in the world. Whether the danger comes from the food itself (such as blowfish in Japan), the cultural taboo (dog in korea), or the unusual surroundings (eating dinner with the mafia in Sicily), he is up to the challenge. Or is he? This is the story of a gourmet on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Parker-Bowles is a likeable narrator and the book is enjoyable as much for his misadventures as for his knowledge of cuisine. He is a capable writer, whether describing the flavor of a perfect meal in Laos or the pain as he overindulges at a fiery food convention. A fun read that will make anyone hungry.

Reviewed by Ian R., North County Regional

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It seemed like a good idea at the time. Sara Bongiorni decides her family’s New Year’s resolution is to boycott everything made in China for a year. Could they pull it off? Deciding to keep the China goods they own, the family bans buying anything made in China. Trips to Wal-Mart and Home Depot become frustrating and fruitless. Video games, replacing printer cartridges, shoes, clothing, plastic and electronics are now out. Through the year, they learn about the global economy from the bottom up. This book is an entertaining read that will open your eyes and, possibly change your buying habits--for a while, that is.

Reviewed by Susan W., South County Regional

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Do you ever wish you were happier? Gretchen Rubin had a great life – she was married to a wonderful man, they had two beautiful daughters, and she had a career she loved. So, why didn’t she feel happier? Rubin decided to embark on a year-long Happiness Project where each month she would work on different happiness goals. She covers everything from enriching her marriage and being a better parent to organizing her closets and trying to play more. The main thing she stresses is that everyone’s Happiness Project would look different – there is no one way to be happy. This is an inspiring book that will encourage you to look at your life in a different light.

Reviewed by Jessica B., University City Regional

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“Do one thing ever day that scares you.” Reading this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt at her local Startbucks inspired Noelle Hancock to read more about her. She learns Eleanor had many fears as a child and resolved to overcome them. After being laid off from her job as a celebrity blogger, Noelle Hancock realized she was so preoccupied researching other people’s lives, she had neglected her own. At 29, Hancock resolves to take a year to overcome her fears and find herself. She shares her adventures which range from stand-up comedy to skydiving. On her journey, she shares stories about Eleanor Roosevelt’s life that she relates to her own experiences using honesty, humor, and suspenseful storytelling. She will make you see your life in a whole new light.

Reviewed by Megan M., Main Library

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Best known for his roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Stand By Me, child actor turned adult comedian Will Wheaton gives an unflinchingly honest account of his life and personal motivations after leaving the staple of Sci-Fi TV. Spurred by demoralizing near-misses in his acting career and challenges in providing for his wife and two stepchildren, he began a now-legendary blog in 2001, not knowing it would prove therapeutic for him and others. In this book, he uses excerpts from the website as well as original writing to paint the picture of a bitter man coming to terms with real and perceived professional slights, and his own life choices. Filled with wit and honesty, this memoir of a geek legend is insightful and touching.

Reviewed by Jonathan W., Morrison Regional

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It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a person in possession of good sense enjoys Jane Austen. Professor Amy Elizabeth Smith decided to put this truth to the test and take Jane through six Latin American countries. Even though Smith didn’t speak Spanish and had no idea who her book clubs would be, she decided to explore and follow wherever her answers would lead her. Would all the readers find a connection between Austen’s world and their own? Through adventures and appreciations of new cultures, Smith learns surprising truths, makes good friends, and unexpectedly discovers her own Mr. Darcy. Travel along with Smith, or as Jane says, `The person, whether it be a gentleman or a lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.`

Reviewed by Amanda D., University City Regional

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