Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke

BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD by Attica Locke is a mystery and police procedural of sorts, hopefully the first in a series to feature Texas Ranger, Darren Mathews. The setting is so well-drawn as to almost be a character itself -- a one stoplight town, named Lark, in East Texas where a black man (lawyer from Chicago) and a local white woman are found murdered within days of each other. Racial tensions reminiscent of Jim Crow days permeate this well-written novel from an award winning author. Locke’s other works include Pleasantville, winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction; The Cutting Season which won the Ernest Gaines Award; and the Edgar-nominated Black Water Rising.

Temporarily on suspension for helping a family friend, Ranger Mathews heads to Lark to investigate what appear to be racially motivated deaths. He encounters several memorable characters like the spouses, named Randie Winston and Keith Dale, of the murder victims or Wally Jefferson, the well-off proprietor of a white supremacist bar, or Geneva Sweet who runs a café catering to black clientele.  It’s a suspenseful and very complicated situation for Mathews who garners little support from local law enforcement or from his own estranged family.    

One of the most apt descriptions I’ve heard comes from Walter Mosley who says that “BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD reads like a blues song to East Texas.” BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD received starred reviews from Kirkus and Library Journal. Consider pairing this highly recommended mystery story with National Book Award nominee A Kind of Freedom by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton or the winner, Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward.

Radio Free Vermont by Bill McKibben

I recently saw Ann Patchett and Daniel Pink making book recommendations on PBS NewsHour and she said, “the number one thing that people come into my bookstore and ask for is a book that is smart and funny and has an uplifting ending.” That immediately made me think of the recently released RADIO FREE VERMONT by Bill McKibben.  The environmental activist’s newest work of fiction is subtitled “a fable of resistance” and relates the story of long-time radio host, Vern Barclay, aged 72. Living in Vermont and valuing the lifestyle there, he inadvertently starts a succession campaign when some sewage is re-routed to flood a new big box store and politicians make him a wanted man.

This book is smart – providing snippets of information like referencing “the U.S. of Lincoln’s day – a population of thirty million, already ten times larger than at the Revolution, but ten times smaller than out total today.” Vern emphasizes the value in small and local; his speeches are heartfelt and well-researched – like when he encourages everyone to go to local town meetings: “… be reminded that democracy isn’t just voting for president every four years and then trusting him to fix things.  Democracy is about getting together with your community to think together about your future.” And it’s funny – there’s a beer heist and a contest for a Vermont National Anthem as well as some great song choices to fill the radio waves. 

This book will make a great holiday gift especially since it advocates for less shouting and more listening, plus “the one thing no one ever says anymore in our public life: 'I think you’re wrong, but you may be right.’” RADIO FREE VERMONT received starred reviews from both Booklist and Library Journal.

I Love Tasty by Catrine Kelty

One of our cooking teachers stopped by the library today and we had fun discussing new cookbooks, especially I LOVE TASTY by Catrine Kelty.  If you are not familiar with the Tasty website, have a look.  I was introduced to the delicious recipes there by my 20-something children and I think this cookbook is a great fit for that same group. I LOVE TASTY, the unofficial cookbook, is filled with images and easy to follow recipes perfect for the beginning cook – much like the website itself.  I really liked that the process is photographed as well as the final dish. Just a few favorites from the cookbook include “Good Morning Breakfasts” with Cinnamon-Chocolate Chip Muffins, “All Kinds of Vegetable Dishes” with Zucchini Pancakes, and comfort foods like True Shepherd’s Pie or Flaky Chicken Potpie in the “Meat, Poultry and Fish for Dinner” section.  These 100 or so basic recipes are all relatively easy with a limited number of familiar ingredients and provide a wonderful opportunity to explore for new cooks.  Looking for other cookbook ideas? Don’t forget Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown – my colleague checked that one out, too.