Books for June

It’s June. Time to find a quiet beach and something to read. After a great college class about the history of religious movements in America, I’ve always been fascinated with the activity that grew out of the so-called “Burned-Over District.” And as a frequent volunteer at a Shaker Village I know there is a great deal to…

ACCENT: THE PIER FALLS by Mark Haddon

Best known for his novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Haddon returns with a collection of short stories. Using spare language, Haddon writes small sketches with echoes of old fairy tales and fables. The title story is perhaps the strongest in the collection. A completely omniscient narrator floats between a buckling beam…

Books for June

Somehow, June is already nearly half over. Summer is well and truly underway. Time to find the shade of a tree or a lazy hammock and do some reading. And in the spirit of relaxation, here is some lighter fare to enjoy on a quiet summer day.   JAMES THE CONNOISSEUR CAT by Harriet Hahn…

ACCENT: A Little Russian Collection

  Gregory Maguire, best known for his Wicked books, is back with another revisionist fairy tale. This time, he weaves together classic Russian elements — Baba Yaga, Faberge eggs, endless train tracks, snow laden countryside — in this middle grade novel. Elena is a young girl who lives in a dying country town. There is no…