With Halloween just passed (What the hell does one DO with a bowlful of leftover candy corn anyway?) and the seasonal time change looming, one hears the approaching rustle of winter's dark cloak, and shivers at the thought of the long chilled dark nights ahead. <br>
Fortunately, we've got garlic to repel the vampires, a silver-headed cane to brain werewolves, and books, oodles of books to defy winter!<p>
One of the best recent novels that shouts "Summer!" in a crowded winter is Alan Brennert's PALISADES PARK. I first encountered him decades ago when he wrote some truly marvelous Batman stories for DC Comics (decidedly pre DARK KNIGHT). He's a veteran novelist, particularly stories set in his beloved Hawaii.<br>
Tropical paradises definitely figure in his absorbing new book, set mostly in the 30's and 40's at the storied amusement park which once overlooked NYC. It has a terrific cast of characters who speak very true-to-life dialogue, and who go through a series of often wrenching changes that the Depression, WW2, and just getting older works on people.<br>
If you can resist the character of Toni Stupka, a spirited girl determined to be high diver, then you must be made of stone LIKE the Palisades. Her expertly-told adventures are sure to warm a winter-challenged heart, especially when her water tank is set ablaze!<p>
With the looming 50-year anniversary of the shooting of JFK--another thought to chill the heart!--bookstore clerks are busy wrangling a stampede of books on the assassination and the Kennedys. One of the more absorbing is about Jack's father, Joe Kennedy, THE PATRIARCH, in David Nasaw's rich biography.<br>
Joe was often not a particularly admirable figure, but his involvement in many key moments in 20th Century history is undeniable, and the list of lives he crossed (and, sometimes, double-crossed) is breathtaking.
He wore many hats: influential banker, film studio executive, US Ambassador, not to mention sire of one of America's famed political dynasties. It's the kind of solid, well-written biography that'll make you actually turn off your phone so you won't be interrupted so many damn times!<p>
Finally, rivaling the mass of Kennedy titles in the store I work in are books on women's shoes. Yes, we have a book or two on men's shoes, but we must have two dozen books on women's shoes. It shouldn't surprise anyone on this Forum that most of these fetishize shoes to some degree. (Indeed, one new oversized picture book from the European publisher teNeues, FOR THE LOVE OF SHOES, depicts on its cover a feather-festooned stiletto sandal that doesn't just suggest, but shouts fetish to even the most vanilla of viewers.)<br>
The little book that I'm drawing your attention to is HIGH HEEL HEAVEN (All this and alliteration, too!) by Tracy Martin from Brit publisher Ryland, Peters, and Small (which I can't help thinking sounds like a white shoe law firm). The cover alone will warm the cockles (Yes, COCKLES!) of foot and leg fanciers, shoe players, tickle fantasists--a crossover winner. The playful history and illustrated survey of the high heel within is all gravy, so to speak--leading to that warm, comforting thought that at least Thanksgiving is between us and the long, cruel winter ahead.<P>
Brrrrr! OK, I've gotta have a cup of hot chocolate. B C-ing U.
Tee Hee
Fortunately, we've got garlic to repel the vampires, a silver-headed cane to brain werewolves, and books, oodles of books to defy winter!<p>
One of the best recent novels that shouts "Summer!" in a crowded winter is Alan Brennert's PALISADES PARK. I first encountered him decades ago when he wrote some truly marvelous Batman stories for DC Comics (decidedly pre DARK KNIGHT). He's a veteran novelist, particularly stories set in his beloved Hawaii.<br>
Tropical paradises definitely figure in his absorbing new book, set mostly in the 30's and 40's at the storied amusement park which once overlooked NYC. It has a terrific cast of characters who speak very true-to-life dialogue, and who go through a series of often wrenching changes that the Depression, WW2, and just getting older works on people.<br>
If you can resist the character of Toni Stupka, a spirited girl determined to be high diver, then you must be made of stone LIKE the Palisades. Her expertly-told adventures are sure to warm a winter-challenged heart, especially when her water tank is set ablaze!<p>
With the looming 50-year anniversary of the shooting of JFK--another thought to chill the heart!--bookstore clerks are busy wrangling a stampede of books on the assassination and the Kennedys. One of the more absorbing is about Jack's father, Joe Kennedy, THE PATRIARCH, in David Nasaw's rich biography.<br>
Joe was often not a particularly admirable figure, but his involvement in many key moments in 20th Century history is undeniable, and the list of lives he crossed (and, sometimes, double-crossed) is breathtaking.
He wore many hats: influential banker, film studio executive, US Ambassador, not to mention sire of one of America's famed political dynasties. It's the kind of solid, well-written biography that'll make you actually turn off your phone so you won't be interrupted so many damn times!<p>
Finally, rivaling the mass of Kennedy titles in the store I work in are books on women's shoes. Yes, we have a book or two on men's shoes, but we must have two dozen books on women's shoes. It shouldn't surprise anyone on this Forum that most of these fetishize shoes to some degree. (Indeed, one new oversized picture book from the European publisher teNeues, FOR THE LOVE OF SHOES, depicts on its cover a feather-festooned stiletto sandal that doesn't just suggest, but shouts fetish to even the most vanilla of viewers.)<br>
The little book that I'm drawing your attention to is HIGH HEEL HEAVEN (All this and alliteration, too!) by Tracy Martin from Brit publisher Ryland, Peters, and Small (which I can't help thinking sounds like a white shoe law firm). The cover alone will warm the cockles (Yes, COCKLES!) of foot and leg fanciers, shoe players, tickle fantasists--a crossover winner. The playful history and illustrated survey of the high heel within is all gravy, so to speak--leading to that warm, comforting thought that at least Thanksgiving is between us and the long, cruel winter ahead.<P>
Brrrrr! OK, I've gotta have a cup of hot chocolate. B C-ing U.
Tee Hee
