Not a New Yorker & loving it
583923
While Bunky Green is hardly "a complete unknown" given his long-ago stints with Charles Mingus and Elvin Jones, recorded documents under his name are elusive "like a rolling stone." Preferring to pursue the muse elsewhere, he never settled into the limelight of New York, where careers are made and where his commanding talent would have won him fame. Instead, he diverted his energies to music education. The altoist's trademark sparks suffuse this superior festival performance. The backing band is punchy and sympathetic to the leader's wily, thematically-cogent tangents, ringer Nasheet Waits figures on traps, and the focus is on Green's own compositions (with Jimmy van Heusen's "It Could Happen to You" being the lone exception). If you haven't heard (of) him, this set will make you a headshaking believer who, like me, marks time until Bunky's next recorded opus however long the wait.
210602
As a librarian in my small North Jersey community, I came across this issue on my circulation desk. Brought it home to peruse with my husband, assuming it would spark a few laughs. Except for the unnecessary and redundant portrait work inserted in the middle (which I found diminished the poetry of the rest of the volume), "Forsaken" is hardly lightweight material. The book is beautifully written and photographed. A thoughtful, fascinating, reverent look at a dying world right here in our midst. And maybe, most importantly, a public service.

Reading it brought me back to my college days of "urban exploration" with friends---hunting down numberless abandoned diners, overgrown drive-ins and one hard-to-find Egg-O-Mat in Warren, and loving every minute of it. I look forward to more from Rusty Tagliareni, who--in his writing and non-portrait lensing, at least--has the makings of a great New Jersey chronicler.
4589947
This book is funny, sassy&romantic and it capture the spirit of true New Yorker attitude in your face and to the point..  So exciting didn't want story to end..
3412250
I was never a big fan of Bruce Springsteen growing up - I was a "tweener" when "Born in the USA" came out and for some reason his music just never appealed to me.  However, this album is so different from his other stuff I've heard (which I completely admit is limited experience) and more like the music I typically like - folksy, bluesy, a bit of bluegrass, just so many things you cannot put it into a box.  LOVE IT.
4226929
I don't read for Fun very often...  A book has to "Hook Me" pretty quick...  this one did for many reasons - not the least of which is the Law Enforcement/Politics thread...  having been hooked by Grisham's series, years ago - I haven't been hooked like this for quite a while...  my "fixes" have most recently come from watching (and never becoming board with) Law & Order, NCIS, Flashpoint, The Wire, Criminal Minds, CSI, Without a Trace, etc.  S.T. Phillips clearly honed in on the combination of real life - Law Enforcement, Politics, Criminal Activity, Terrorism, etc., combined with exploring aspects of characters to which one can easily relate...  and for a Native of Delaware - it was an added Delight to read along and be able to visualize well known places, buildings, even roads...  I will be watching closely for the next !!!  Raymond Bowers - Newark, DE
3875752
I am a fan, and this guy has not written a bad book, in my opinion. This is a departure from the norm as most of the story is not located in Boston, but this is not a bad thing. It makes me want to visit more of the south. Great characters, suitably flawed,
4862127
I almost missed this new Keller release - only noticing it after browsing Amazon's best sellers listing for Kindle and finding it as one of the singles releases. At first I thought it was a re-release of one portion of one of the earlier Keller novels (which has been the case quite a few times now), but some checking convinced me that wasn't the case. So I went for it.

These Keller stories flow effortlessly, the dialogue and story line seemingly from Block's imagination without effort. I can't explain what makes them so interesting to read, but for a light escapist distraction they are just about perfect.

Keller is easily enticed to take a break from his comfortable life in New Orleans to take on a new 'job', and he grabs the Amtrak for Chicago. Wearing his newly purchased fedora. The unexpected ensues as he proceeds inexorably towards his latest victim.

Great fun and satisfying for Keller fans anxious for a short fix.
4135267
It was very fitting for St. Martin's Press to hand out The Glass Kitchen at Blogger Bash in NYC since the book takes place in NYC. Ironically I just did a full city tour 2 days before I started reading the book so when certain locations were talked about in the book, I could easily picture it. This book is not at all about big city living, but about family, secrets, adult romance, and teenager/parent relationships. It was a very unique plot that more people can probably relate to than would like to admit. It was also refreshing to read a book that was not predictable. Absolutely loved it.
2215338
Knowing that Dick Wolf originated the "Law & Order" series and its various spin-offs will do more to describe this book than any review.
Especially poignant for New Yorkers who will enjoy the geographical references, this is a book that can be - and will be - enjoyed by a huge audience. The fast paced activities and sensibility of Jeremy Fisk has already endeared this principal detective character to me and I'll be in line to read subsequent adventures when I want a light and thoroughly enjoyable read.
428812
If you're like me and you're getting a little weary of the big highfalutin New York novel, this is definitely your bag. The setting is in beautiful coastal Maine, and the characters--in a refreshing twist!--actually behave a lot like real people.

I read this in only a few short sittings while on vacation, and I was stunned at how deftly it was able to cram in all its interesting tidbits about memory and Alzheimer's disease while still keeping me going with a compelling story. The main character Victor Aaron might seem a little passive at first, but anyone who's dealt with such a huge loss will recognize himself in the way Aaron slowly comes unraveled. And the parts from the wife's perspective... just some exquisite writing.

The prose is at times very spare--something I attribute to the author's unwillingness to engage in fancifulness. In this way it isn't a book that will destroy you with a single line, it's more of a book that will enter you whole and then gestate slowly for weeks afterward. It did for me, anyway.

Yep, loved it.
951525
Cooper and the Big Apple is one of the more unique perspectives on New York City that I have encountered. It is told from the point of view of a cat and addresses the many confusing figures of speech that are common in our everyday language. Cooper, a cat, is perfectly happy at home in Texas, but when his friend Jennifer decides they should go to New York City, off they go. As they explore the city, he figures out that the "Big Apple" refers to the city, subways don't refer to the sandwich, and Times Square has nothing to do with boring times tables. Although these misunderstandings lead to some disappointments, often Cooper finds himself pleasantly surprised by the big city. A fun, often humorous, trip around New York City and a wonderful discussion piece for the language that can confuse young children, especially those on the spectrum. The book is only enhanced by the delightful mixed media artwork that conveys the story with humor and creativity. Cohn, an elementary school art teacher, wrote this book using her experiences and knowledge about the autism spectrum. Riley, her teenage daughter and illustrator of the book, is on the spectrum and considers her autism a gift.
3358456
Welcome to Thebes, New York! I grew up in a small town in Upstate New York, and went to college in the New York's North Country, so both the people and the setting here feel like a trip down memory lane. Maguire does an exceptionally good job of bringing his small town setting and its residents to life in an utterly authentic way. His main characters, Tabitha Scales, a rebellious daughter of a single mother, and Jeremy Carr, the gay choir director at the local Catholic church, form the heart of the story, but the supporting cast of characters brings it to life.

This story is a comic romp that begins when Tabitha's mother is struck in the head by a statue. Suddenly, Tabitha finds herself in the mothering role and is forced to re-evaluate her own life. Meanwhile, Jeremy and his gay friends find an unlikely friendship with a group of retired nuns. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments along the way, but there is also a touching story of people coming to terms with their identities. A wonderful and very entertaining book.

[This review is based on the 2009 Concord Free Press edition of this novel.]
4108494
I am just getting into Batman, for comics for that matter, and while I have a subscription for comics, I'm not sure if I would call myself a collector. I mention this because other reviews have mentioned other Batman titles that I am not familiar with so that perspective escapes me. However, for those of you who are seasoned with The Batman's written history and not just what the movies convey about Bruce Wayne and his alter ego(and for those of us who are not in tune with him beyond Christian Bale and his predecessors), Scott Snyder is providing such an explosion of smiles to my face! YouTube introduced me to DC's New 52 & Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. With so many titles existing on Batman, it is very overwhelming to say the least when determining what to enjoy, especially based on what one can afford that doesn't make you regret buying. There are no comic book shops close to my home, and again, I consider myself a novice to comics, but part of my history is that of a freelance illustrator, primarily portrait work, nothing like the art of most comics. Surprisingly, I find this medium that my hands can no longer perform, gives me a mental stimulation and an outlet that doesn't make me question, "What if....." due to my disability. That is refreshing, because it has taken me nearly seven years to find this. All of that is to say, whatever Scott Snyder is writing, pick it up, especially the new Batman. The Gates of Gotham was exceptional, with artwork that I felt fit perfectly with so much history being revealed. Obviously the writing was on point, and provides some insight to how Snyder writes Batman now. I highly recommend B:GoG, and I believe you'll enjoy it, as well.
4921191
I came across this book a few times as I browsed various bookstores.  Being a fan of The New Yorker, I would pick it up, read the dust jacket flap and debate myself on whether or not to buy it.  I could never pull the trigger.  Then, I came across an autographed copy.  Ms. Groth's neat little signature finally won me over.

Her experiences weren't quite as neat as her signature.  She comes to New York from the Midwest in 1957 and finagles a job as receptionist at The New Yorker.  For the next 20 years she works at the weekly, never really rising above her position as receptionist despite her professed desire to be a writer.  On the other hand, she leads a life of fun and excitement (as well as some tragedy), meeting famous people and, to my eyes at least, somehow living rather above her means, considering her job.

There are some really interesting passages in this memoir.  Her chapters on John Berryman and Muriel Spark, for example, are wonderful inside views of these writers.  The chapters that focus on her personal experiences, however, are much more hit and miss. It's difficult not to feel sympathy for her when she gets seduced for the first time by a jerk and her later relationship with "Fritz" offers some nice insights into the man/ woman dynamic.  Additionally, I found the chapter on her awaking to race relations through having an African American roommate for a time ("Sara") to be excellent.  And yet, there are a lot of soul searching/ psychoanalytic chapters here that do nothing for me.  I also found her unwillingness to use people's real names for the most part a pointless distraction.

Still, it's a brief book and easy enough to read.  It does take you back to a time in Manhattan that seems gone now even if I don't feel I learned much about The New Yorker and its people.  Being a transplant to New York from the Midwest myself, I wanted to like it more.  In the end, I can only say that it may not be a great memoir, but it's OK.
1410349
This book really makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of Manhattan hanging out with these wonderful characters.

The bars, all the parks not just Central Park, Times Square, SoHo, the East Village and the energy of its people and the city itself. Not to mention all the witty and fun conversations going on between lively New Yorkers which you get to experience through these great characters.

It really is an extremely friendly city just like it is portrayed in this book and that is why it was easy for such a shy character like Katrina to meet her neighbors Shana and Gracie right away and quickly become such great friends

Just like in NY and in the book if you go to a certain deli or coffee shop,  they will know your order by heart, know your name and chat with you. Hence Kat goes to the same coffee shop every day and chats with Justin while he fills her order.

I liked the dynamic of her friend Brittany who had been Kat's RA in college and is the only person she knew when she came to New York and is a bit of a wild child.

And I like the references to the ubiquitous married men who always seem to be forever present in large numbers in the bars. Always looking for those wide-eyed young women who are new in town. We meet some of these characters as well.

And I really liked Deb, Katrina's best friend in Mountain View and how she would call her from NY and report back from time to time.

The most amazing thing about this book is this transition that occurs in Katrina who was completely sheltered, naive and unbearably shy. And to watch her try new things, stop doubting herself and to start living her life for herself.

And you know you've read a great book when you can easily envision these characters living out their lives interacting with one another even though you have read the last page.
1463232
This book reminded me of being young and that massive feeling of anythings possible that you feel in your early twenties.  Life is just starting and your mind is wide open to experiences.  Ive never lived in New York but having read this book, I feel like I have been.  At least my mind has traveled there.

This book is NOT about Salinger.  This is not bad or good, but it just is what it is.  It appears to me that it was a way to garner interest.  Perhaps the authors years in the publishing world served her well because I know few people in the reading blog world that are not talking about this, reading this or discussing this book.  So that aspect has worked in her favor.  However, I was glad it wasn't about Salinger because quite frankly Im not a fan of that recluse.

I really found her workplace to be divinely interesting and comically entertaining.
1525422
No, this isn't the "feel good book of the year." It is not Nicholas Sparks. It is unlikely Sandra Bullock will play the lead if it is ever a film. What it is, is a flawlessly crafted satire of Perfect Suburban  Life. The writing is, as always with Homes, fresh and alive. Pitch-black  one moment and hilarious the next. True, it may make many people very  uncomfortable to read. But this is part of the joy of reading fiction. It  lets us experience emotions we simply wouldn't experience standing in line  at Kmart. Well, except for the New York City Kmart maybe.