| JULIE AND ROMEO |
A first novel by
Jeanne Ray is about two, attractive, sixty-something florists
drawn irresistibly to each other, in spite of their knowledge
that their families are bitter enemies. A feel-good read –
funny, sexy and fun. Ray is the mother of novelist, Ann Patchett. |
| IRON SHOES |
Molly Giles takes
us into the world of Kay, emotionally bereft, but dutiful daughter
of the beautiful invalid Ida and her cold, but caring husband,
Francis. Giles is a skillful writer, painting vivid scenes of
family affections and embarrassments. Giles, who teaches at
University of Arkansas, also wrote CREEK WALK and ROUGH TRANSLATIONS
– both story collections. |
| TIBOR KALMAN, PERVERSE OPTIMIST
|
Tibor Kalman is
strong medicine. Remember the Benetton magazine, “Colors”?
That was Kalman’s work.This is a book full of iconoclastic
messages about sex, religion, politics, race, consumerism, guns,
fashion – much of what we accept as popular culture. Kalman
asserted that corporations have become the sole arbiters of
cultural ideas and taste in America. His mission was to take
corporate money and use it to “change the world”.
X-rated, the book jolts you into awareness. |
| NOBROW:THE CULTURE OF MARKETING
AND THE MARKETING OF CULTURE |
New Yorker writer
John Seabrook has written Nobrow: the culture of marketing
and the marketing of culture to examine the origins, the
quirks, and the future of popular culture. From clear-eyed stories
of his family to gossipy interviews with celebrities, he mirrors
the gradual refocusing of status in our society. |
| MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD: CHILDREN,
TELEVISION AND FRED ROGERS |
Need an antidote
to cynicism? Read MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD: CHILDREN, TELEVISION
AND FRED ROGERS, edited by Mark Collins and Margaret Mary Kimmel,
and find out that what you see is what he is. It's an uplifting
account of how Fred Rogers became a "totally dependable
adult" who is a "national treasure." |
dcelia@westportlibrary.org