The Passage by Justin Cronin

Here is the link to a review I found in the New York Times about one of the newer additions to the best seller list that I found really informative and helpful.  I'm still debating on whether I should give it a try because I'm not quite on the vampire bandwagon with everyone else, but it sounds like it deals with some deeper issues and in a more creative way than other novels.  This writer has a strong literary background, so I'd expect and the reviews says the writing is better than in most.  Please let me know what you think and I hope this helps!  The review is clear, fairly short and to the point.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/books/review/Peed-t.html?ref=review

New York Times Bestsellers as of June 30,2010

It looks like new books have broken into top five this week:

Hardcover Fiction

Top 5 at a Glance
1. THE OVERTON WINDOW, by Glenn Beck
2. THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST, by Stieg Larsson
3. THE LION, by Nelson DeMille
4. THE PASSAGE, by Justin Cronin
5. WHIPLASH, by Catherine Coulter

Paperback Mass-Market Fiction

Top 5 at a Glance
1. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, by Stieg Larsson
2. THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, by Stieg Larsson
3. BLACK HILLS, by Nora Roberts
4. THE BOURNE DECEPTION, by Eric Van Lustbader
5. MEDUSA, by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos

Graphic Books

Top 5 at a Glance
1. TWILIGHT: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1, by Stephenie Meyer and Young C. Kim
2. JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE, by James Robinson and Mauro Cascioli
3. NEIL YOUNG'S GREENDALE, by Josh Dysart and Cliff Chiang
4. KICK-ASS, by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.
5. WEDNESDAY COMICS, by Various

The Frozen Rabbi by Steve Stern

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/21/AR2010062104405.html

In an effort to branch out from only cruising around The New York Times and to expand my recommendations, I decided to skim The Washington Post today.  Luckily I did to because I stumbled across this entertaining review of an even more entertaining sounding book.  Just the title stands out, it's definitely one I've never heard before.  It sounds like a great fresh take on the usual serious treatment of faith in America with a twist of comedy to top it all off.  Looking for a laugh this summer, try picking this one up. I think I will.

That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo (Random House)- New Release

New Release this month from Random House!
I ran across this ad while reading the New York Times this morning and decided to the read the excerpt provided.  While this book is probably not everyone's cup of tea, the writing really pulls you in.  In about three pages I learned the whole life story practically of the main character in a way that was so well integrated with the story I hardly noticed I was getting backstory.  By the end of the few pages I could see I was hooked and am now adding it to my summer reading list, so look out for a full review.  It is probably meant for the more literary of readers because the main character is a writer and college professor, a lifestyle not relatable for most people and there are some more obscure but humorous allusions already with promises for more.  It seems to contain some of that old world East Coast charm that us on the West Coast can only imagine since everything is only 10 years old practically in California.

SWEETNESS AND BLOOD by Michael Scott Moore

SWEETNESS AND BLOOD

How Surfing Spread From Hawaii and California to the Rest of the World, With Some Unexpected Results

By Michael Scott Moore

328 pp. Rodale. $25.99

Here is a link to a review at the NY Times of an alternative surfing history which sounds really interesting and full of facts probably only a handful of people in the world previously knew about.  Again, the small details about the book intrigued me more than the actually review so I would just peruse it for the general idea.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/books/review/Martin-t.html?ref=books

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Father Gregory Boyle (Free Press)

I found out about this book when my professor invited two former gang members who now work at an organization called Homeboy Industries to come and speak to our class.  For those who have never heard of this organization, Homeboy Industries is an organization started by Father Gregory Boyle which is a type of "rehab" for gang members to try and get out of the gang lifestyle.  They help find former gang members find work, education, counseling and all around try and help gang members change their lives.  In their speech, they mentioned that Father Gregory had written a book about Homeboy Industries and all the proceeds went back to help support their work there.

I was intrigued and went out and bought the book.  I was expecting a history of Homeboy Industries chalk full of details about their work with maybe a few personal stories sprinkled throughout.  Father Gregory disillusions his readers of this idea immediately in the introduction.  The book does not follow any time or story line but is organized by topics such as "kinship" and "slow work" which describe the stories contained in each chapter.  But what really binds each of the stories is the universal human feelings of the homeboys he describes.  Father Gregory seeks to and succeeds in sharing stories about his experiences in a way that helps his audience understand the world these homeboys and homegirls come from and help them to feel sympathy and compassion towards them by showing them not as failures but as human beings.  He shows the all the good and all the mistakes of the people he describes. He provides enough background to give his readers a glimpse into a world many have never even imagined but is all that many gang members know.   The book does contain a Catholic religious note, but that is only to be expected in a book written by a priest.  It is infused in a way that does not preach but highlights the power and impact of love and personal connections in making a difference in people's lives.  I would recommend this book to any person of any background.  It is an eye-opener in many ways you would never expect.  And remember if you buy a copy you are helping to keep the work of Homeboy Industries to end gangs continue.

New York Times Bestsellers as of June 21,2010

Hardcover Fiction
Top 5 at a Glance
1. THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST, by Stieg Larsson
2. THE LION, by Nelson DeMille
3. THE PASSAGE, by Justin Cronin
4. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
5. THE SPY, by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

Paperback Trade Fiction
Top 5 at a Glance
1. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, by Stieg Larsson
2. THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, by Stieg Larsson
3. LITTLE BEE, by Chris Cleave
4. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, by Jennifer Weiner
5. SOUTH OF BROAD, by Pat Conroy

Graphic Books
Top 5 at a Glance
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. WILSON, by Daniel Clowes
4. THE PHANTOM: THE COMPLETE NEWSPAPER DAILIES, VOL. 1, by Lee Falk and Ray Moore
5. FLASH: REBIRTH, by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver

New Releases from Simon and Schuster

The Promise by Jonathan Alter: an account of the beginning of President Obama's term

Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton: a tale of the struggles of American soldiers in Afghanistan


Best Friends Forever By Jennifer Weiner: a heart-warming tale of female friendship


The Ark By Boyd Morrison: a thriller where an archeologist must find Noah's ark and a relic inside

New York Times Bestsellers as of June 7, 2010

Hardcover Fiction
Top 5 at a Glance
1. THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST, by Stieg Larsson
2. DEAD IN THE FAMILY, by Charlaine Harris
3. 61 HOURS, by Lee Child
4. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
5. STORM PREY, by John Sandford

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

Graphic Books
Top 5 at a Glance
1. TWILIGHT: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1, by Stephenie Meyer and Young C. Kim
2. THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, VOL. 1, by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca
3. KICK-ASS, by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.
4. FLASH: REBIRTH, by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver
5. BATMAN AND ROBIN, VOL. 1, by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely and Philip Ta

Time Travelers Wife Movie

So in an effort to inform those who might be interested in watching the movie after reading the book, I watched the Time Traveler's Wife with Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana this weekend. Its different than you might expect if you haven't, or even if you had read the book because it is so spot on to the book. So if you loved the book, you'll be happy because they stayed true to the meaning and storyline of Audrey Niffenegger. If you are expecting a lighthearted romance, I would read the book first so you aren't too shocked. I think the book sets the reader up better understand what is going on, otherwise its definitely a more tragic movie ala Benjamin Button, but still a very good movie if you don't mind a little melancholy.

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.

Twitter!

Hey keep up with updates on new book reviews and posts by following Diary of a Book Nerd on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/DiaryofBookNerd

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