THE LAST STAND: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn

Here is a book review I found on the New York Times of a book that I thought might interest history buffs. Its fairly easy to read but kinda lengthy (not gonna lie, I didn't read the whole thing) so I would recommend skimming and looking for what you find interesting.

THE LAST STAND: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn
By Nathaniel Philbrick
Illustrated. 466 pages. Viking. $30

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/books/04book.html?pagewanted=1&ref=books

Bestsellers 6/2 Publishers Weekly

For those who don't know Publisher's Weekly is the industry magazine for the book publishing world. Here are their bestsellers as of today:
Hardcover Fiction
1. 61 Hours: A Reacher Novel Lee Child .
2. Storm Prey John Sandford .
3. Dead in the Family Charlaine Harris .
4. Heart of the Matter Emily Giffin .
5. The Help Kathryn Stockett .
6. Innocent Scott Turow .

Top Mass Market Paperback
1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson
2. The Girl Who Played with Fire Stieg Larsson
3. Run for Your Life James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
4. Wicked Pray John Sanford
5. The Apostle Brad Thor
6. The Last Song Nicholas Sparks

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (Harcourt)

I mostly picked up this book because I never got the chance to see the movie, which from the previews seemed like the best chick flick in the world. And it may be, I've still never seen it. But the book was infinitely more. It is in fact a love story and follows the romance of Henry DeTamble, who is a time traveler, and Clare Abshire. Henry first meets Clare when she is 6 and he has traveled back in time at the age of 36. For her, he is a stangers the pops in and out of her life, who she eventually learns is her future husband. The meet occasionally when Henry time travels to various points of her life until eventually he stops coming because they are about catch up to each other in the present. Sounds achingly perfect and romantic right? Here's where the twist comes. Henry does not time travel of his own accord. In fact he hates it, except when he gets to see Clare. He has no control over when he will disappear or where he will go. He is at the mercy of time and often comes back hurt and confused because when he leaves, he cannot take anything with him, including his clothes.

This story maintains all the classic elements of a romantic story but lacks the cliches. These two lovers are not senselessly throwing themselves at each other out of stupidity. They literally have no choice but to fall in love because it has already happened. They are destined to be together because they already have fallen in love and as we learn in the book, you can't change what has already happened.

If you are not normally drawn to romance novels, I would give this one a try because it is more than the typical. It is more raw and lacks a lot of the overwhelming femininity of most romances because it focuses so strongly on Henry's perspective and he is a more well-developed character than men in other romances. Overall it is a suspenseful, engaging book that even a man very secure in his sexuality should try and pick up.

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New York Times-Student Challenge

In my constant hunt for interesting information in the New York Times I recently came across this contest listed for students. What it is a challenge to students ages 13-25 across the country to read the New York Times either print or online edition and comment on what they find interesting that week. The best comment would be featured on the New York Times online and links provided to the post on their Twitter and Facebook. Anything covered in the New York Times is fair game so keep a look out for interesting student reviews on books and other content. Or if you are student check it out and post and get a chance to be featured!!! This is a great chance to get opinions from other regular people and see what they think or share your opinion with others.

Here is the link to the challenge:
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/student-challenge-the-times-as-your-summer-reading-2/

Bestsellers 6/1

New York Times

Hardcover Fiction
1. 61 HOURS, by Lee Child
2. STORM PREY, by John Sandford
3. DEAD IN THE FAMILY, by Charlaine Harris
4. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
5. INNOCENT, by Scott Turow

Paperback
1. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, by Stieg Larsson
2. THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, by Stieg Larsson
3. SAVOR THE MOMENT, by Nora Roberts
4. LITTLE BEE, by Chris Cleave
5. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, by Jennifer Weiner

Graphic Novels
1. TWILIGHT: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1, by Stephenie Meyer and Young C. Kim
2. KICK-ASS, by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.
3. THE WALKING DEAD: BOOK 5, by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard
4. BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLETE LIBRARY, VOL. 2, by Berkeley Breathed
5. WILSON, by Daniel Clowes

Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition By Daniel Okrent

When perusing the New York Times Book page I ran across a review of this book which sounded different and interesting. While a little more academic probably than the average book, I think the topic more than makes up for it, because this is one question which is probably in the back of the minds of many. In the land of freedom, how could we ban alcohol, something that is and was a staple in most societies whether we like it or not.
Last Call
The Rise and Fall of Prohibition
By Daniel Okrent
Illustrated. 468 pp. Scribner. $30

Here is the link to the New York Times Review on it, if it sparks your interest:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/books/review/Oshinsky-t.html?pagewanted=1&ref=books

New York Times Bestsellers

Nytimes Bestsellers
Hardcover
1.DEAD IN THE FAMILY, by Charlaine Harris
2. HEART OF THE MATTER, by Emily Giffin
3. FEVER DREAM, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
4. INNOCENT, by Scott Turow
5. THE 9TH JUDGMENT, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Paperback
1. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, by Stieg Larsson
2. RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
3. WICKED PREY, by John Sandford
4. THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, by Stieg Larsson
5. THE LAST SONG, by Nicholas Sparks
Graphic Novels
1. KICK-ASS, by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.
2. TWILIGHT: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1, by Stephenie Meyer and Young C. Kim
3. THE WALKING DEAD: BOOK 5, by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard
4. BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLETE LIBRARY, VOL. 2, by Berkeley Breathed
5. EERIE ARCHIVES, VOL. 3, by various

Surprising Resources

One place many may not think to look but is actually a great but much more focused place to find good and interesting books to read is Target. They keep a fairly decent spread of everything from trashy romance novels, political books, cookbooks to New York Times bestsellers. And of the New York Times Bestsellers, they pick the ones best suited for the majority of people as they want to sell to the average joe walking from buying new headphones not college professors. I actually found my new favorite book there not too long ago. Though sorry boys, unfortunately Target seems to target women in their titles choices but there are still some pretty good options on the shelves for even the manliest of men. So next time you are short on time and need a new read, think about checking Target out. The smaller collection makes it easier to find something quickly rather than getting overwhelmed but the large, imposing, endless shelves of the regular bookstore.

New Bestsellers!

New York Times:
Hardcover
1. DEAD IN THE FAMILY, by Charlaine Harris
2. THE 9TH JUDGMENT, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
3. INNOCENT, by Scott Turow
4. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
5. DELIVER US FROM EVIL, by David Baldacci

Top 5 at a Glance-Graphic Novels
1. TWILIGHT: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1, by Stephenie Meyer and Young C. Kim
2. KICK-ASS, by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.
3. FLASH: REBIRTH, by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver
4. TALISMAN: THE ROAD OF TRIALS, VOL. 1, by Robin Furth, Tony Shasteen and Nei Ruffino
5. WILSON, by Daniel Clowes

Amazon:

1. George Washington's Sacred Fire by Peter A. Lillback
2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
3. Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything by Geneen Roth
4. Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10) by Charlaine Harris
5. With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by E. B. Sledge