Staff Recommendation: The Scent of Sake

The Scent of Sake by Joyce Lebra

This heartfelt novel tells the story of an ambitious girl, Rie, who is kept from taking an active role in her family's business, and is forced to marry a man who cares neither for her nor the family's sake brewery. A story of struggle and strength, The Scent of Sake is a must-read for anyone who values courage and determination in the face of cultural challenge.

Reviewed by: Mari

Joyce Lebra will speak and sign The Scent of Sake on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Boulder Book Store.

Staff Recommendation: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World!
by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero

Dulce Sin Leche! Mucho Margarita! These are some of the delicious cupcake recipes in this must-have cookbook for anyone with a sweet tooth--whether you steer away from dairy on a regular basis, or you are just up to try something new. My personal favorite is the simple vanilla and agave nectar cupcake with not-too-sweet blueberry mousse (it's processed sugar free!).

Reviewed by: Isis

Staff Recommendation: My Mistress's Sparrow Is Dead

My Mistress's Sparrow Is Dead by Jeffrey Eugenides

Eugenides orchestrates this beautiful collection of love stories with precision, including selections from a wide range of authors, both well and lesser know. As the title of the volume suggests, he uses the range of Catullus' love poems as an inspiration, guiding the reader between sweet and somber. All proceeds go to fund the free youth writing programs offered by 826 Chicago.

Reviewed by: Jennifer R.

Staff Recommendation: Rant

Rant by Chuck Palahniuk

Not for the faint of heart, and composed of interviews from friends, family and shocked onlookers, the oral biography of Bust "Rant" Casey is a tale of a world split in two where crashing your car is the newest form of entertainment, and a gateway into another mental state. This twisted, dark and utterly human world could only be composed by the inimitable Chuck Palahniuk.

Reviewed by: Ashanti

Staff Recommendation: Righting the Mother Tongue

Righting the Mother Tongue by David Wolman

Given that spelling is the bane of my existence, I wasn't expecting to like this narrative history of English spelling, but it is a fantastic, engrossing, and often times hilarious book. Wolman goes over everything from the American disregard for the letter h, to how spelling has been used in connection to concepts of class, education, freedom, politics, nationality, and even ones value.

Reviewed by: Corinne

Staff Recommendation: The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, Liesel's penchant for stealing books will affect her life and the lives of everyone she knows. When the family hides a Jew in the basement, Liesel realizes that the world is not so black and white, and that words have power beyond anything she could have imagined. Liesel's story will resonate with any booklover. Great for adults and teens!

Reviewed by: Mandy

Note: The Boulder Book Store Fiction Bookclub will meet to discuss this book on Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at 7pm in the Upper North Room. Please join us!

Sasha Watson
author of
Vidalia in Paris

In New York Vidalia is the shy artistic girl, with a dysfunctional mother at home. But when she wins a scholarship to study art in Paris her life flips upside down. She finds that two guys are into her, Julien and Marco. She thinks of Julien as more of a friend she can say anything to. Marco is a romantic art dealer she finds herself falling for. He's wild and seems to constantly surprise her. But when she figures out the secret to his art dealing she doesn’t know what to think. Is it worth doing something dangerous to be with him?

Author, Sasha Watson will be coming to the Boulder Book Store on Sunday, Feb. 15th to teach a writers workshop for teens. This will be from 11am to 1pm.

Sasha will also be speaking about and signing her book Vidalia in Paris on Wednesday, Feb. 18th at 6:30pm. This event is open to the public.