What Our Staff is Reading

The Kind Diet
by Alicia Silverstone

Rather than hit you over the head with scary health stats or gory visions of slaughterhouses, Alicia Silverstone, actress and vegan activist, maintains a positive gentle approach in this uplifting manual to the all-veggie lifestyle. Silverstone presents easy steps for healthier eating through sections on everything from phasing out meat and dairy to macrobiotic-style eating.

Reviewed by: Jen R.

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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot

This book blends science, race, and class issues seamlessly. In the 1950s, a poor black woman was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer, and samples of both her cells were taken. However, unlike any other cell line in history, her cancerous cells kept growing in culture, leading to incredible treatments for polio, cancers, and other research—a fascinating story.

Reviewed by: Chris


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Touching the Void
by Joe Simpson

This is an utterly harrowing yet compelling tale, and one of the most remarkable mountaineering accounts I have read. Simpson and his companion were descending Siula Grande when Simpson fell and broke his leg. What follows is at first heroic, then tragic, then almost unbelievable. This book will leave you astounded at the potential of the human spirit to survive and endure.

Reviewed by: Mathew

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Every Day in Tuscany
by Frances Mayes

The herbal scent of mountain air, the click of heels on cobblestones, the taste of new olive oil: Mayes' ability to capture the senses is truly remarkable. In the third volume of her Italian memoirs, this ex-pat guides us through the simple pleasures of her day-to-day life. Prepare to be transported by Mayes' lyrical prose and entranced by the spirit of Tuscany.

Reviewed by: Jen

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The Hakawati
by Rabih Alameddine

Filled with Middle Eastern folklore and interspersed with a modern-day tale, The Hakawati is a multi-layered, culturally rich novel that will delight literary fiction fans. Alameddine’s storytelling is seductive, poignant, and full of ruminations about what stories mean to each of us. One of the most delightful and thought-provoking novels that I’ve read in years. Great for Bookclubs!

Reviewed by: Mandy