Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Bookworm's best of 2011
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times
by Terri Schlichenmeyer
2012-01-04

This article shared 2576 times since Wed Jan 4, 2012
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


You were such an efficient shopper this year.

You remembered everybody on your list: the kids, the spouse, Grandma and Great Aunt Judy. None of the cousins went without a gift this year. You even remembered the neighbors and your boss.

However, there's one person you forgot to buy a gift for this year: you. Perhaps it's a good thing you waited, because you have plenty of time to find a book for yourself, a can't-miss read that will serve as a reward for being such a great holiday shopper.

Now that your appetite is whetted, look for these Bookworm's Best of 2011 picks….

Adult fiction

A chance at redemption is at the root of Emily and Einstein, by Linda Francis Lee. This story about a woman, her dog and her dead husband who only wanted a second chance is a charmer and it's a great place to start your new year.

The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern, has been on a lot of end-of-year lists this year, and for good reason: it's complicated, magical, and dark with a sense of foreboding. Plus, it's a story of love that can't ever be completed. What's not to like about that?

I was surprised at how much I loved Just Wanna Testify, by Pearl Cleage, a novel about a benevolent man who takes care of his community, and how he deals with a threat to his people. It's edgy and a little scary, and contains a satisfying ending.

The soldiers are coming back from war, but Siobhan Fallon's You Know When the Men Are Gone is still one powerful book. Told in several related short stories, this novel is about the goings-on on a U.S. military base and what happens to the wives and families while the men are at war. Hint: This must-read is out in paperback Jan. 3.

If Sons, Then Heirs, by Lorene Cary, is a novel about the past, the future, and how one affects the other. The characterization of this book is stellar, but pay attention to the details. Those are what drive this Best Of pick.

Adult nonfiction

I'm not entirely sure how I ended up with two nursing memoirs on this list, but I did…

Beautiful Unbroken: One Nurse's Life, by Mary Jane Nealon, is the story of the author, who only ever wanted to be a caretaker—but once she attained that goal, she spent a good chunk of her life running from it.

Arms Wide Open, by Patricia Harmon, is the gentle, soft true story of a midwife in the Appalachians, and—through the 1970s, communes, back-to-the-land years and more—how she came to love delivering babies.

Yep, I have two nurse's memoirs on my Best Of list this year, and you really can't afford to miss either one.

Also on my list is The Chicken Chronicles, by Alice Walker, the story of Walker's pet chickens and what they've taught her. This book was a big surprise because I never expected this kind of feathered-fowl love letter from this author, and because I was totally captivated by it so much.

Concierge Confidential, by Michael Fazio with Michael Malice, is snarky, snippy, fun and informative. This is the true story of a man who became a concierge at a ritzy New York City hotel, and what he does at his job. Not only are the anecdotes stellar and well-told, but the authors' hints and tips for better service are worth wanting this book. If you're a traveler, especially, you'll love it.

I also loved Little Princes by Conor Grennan, a memoir of a man who decides to go on a round-the-world hike but, lest his quest seem selfish, he decides to spend a stint at a Tibetan orphanage first. What happens is not only the basis of this charming, bring-a-tissue book, but it also gives readers a few laughs. Whatever you do, though, DO NOT skip to the end of this book. You'll ruin it for yourself. You've been warned.

Bonus: The Mindset Lists of American History by Tom McBride and Ron Nief is a lighter, fun-to-read look back over the last century at pop culture, politics, and lifestyles, and it puts a lot of current events into perspective. Loved it. Nuff said.

Children's books

So you need something to reward the kiddoes for being good this holiday season. These books will make them smile….

Yes, the holidays are over, but Thanksgiving Graces by Mark Kimball Moulton, illustrated by David Wenzel is one of those gracious books you'll want to pull off the shelf really often. This gentle rhyme tells the story of a family dinner with a guest list that keeps growing, and the lesson a little boy learns from it. It's for ages 3-8.

I was stunned at how much I loved Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson. This is the (fictional) tale of a boy whose mentally-ill mother abandons him in a Maine park, and his resilience and resourcefulness in surviving and getting home. Two things: this is a great story for kids ages 9-13 (and for adults, too!) but it might scare smaller children. Also, I got this book on CD, which I thought made it better; I listen to audiobooks in my car, in fact, and this one made me want to go places.

Teenie by Christopher Grant and Planet Middle School by Nikki Grimes are both about growing up and enduring those tween and early-teen years. I loved the characters in these "girl books" and I loved how their respective authors gave us a chance to see inside their heads. And for boys who are looking for the same kind of book, give them "On the Come Up" by Travis Hunter. These three books are perfect for anyone ages 12 and up.

And there you have it—15 books to reward yourself (or someone else), to take on that mid-winter vacation, for sitting by the fire, or for no reason other than you want to read them because they're great.

Happy Reading!


This article shared 2576 times since Wed Jan 4, 2012
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Kara Swisher talks truth, power in tech at Chicago Humanities event
2024-03-25
Lesbian author, award-winning journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher spoke about truth and power in the tech industry through the lens of her most recent book, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, March 21 at First ...


Gay News

THEATER Chicago's City Lit has anxiety on tap with 'Two Hours in a Bar'
2024-03-21
Two Hours in a Bar Waiting for Tina Meyer by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue Text Me by Kingsley Day (Book, Music and Lyrics). At: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.. Tickets: ...


Gay News

RuPaul finds 'Hidden Meanings' in new memoir
2024-03-18
RuPaul Andre Charles made a rare Chicago appearance for a book tour on March 12 at The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. Presented by National Public Radio station WBEZ 91.5 FM, the talk coincided with ...


Gay News

Almost 8% of U.S. residents identify as LGBTQ+
2024-03-16
The proportion of U.S. adults identifying as LGBTQ+ continues to increase. LGBTQ+ identification in the U.S. continues to grow, with 7.6% of U.S. adults now identifying as LGBTQ+, according to the newest Gallup poll results that ...


Gay News

Women's History Month doesn't do enough to lift up Black lesbians
2024-03-12
Fifty years ago, in 1974, the Combahee River Collective (CRC) was founded in Boston by several lesbian and feminist women of African descent. As a sisterhood, they understood that their acts of protest were shouldered by ...


Gay News

No 'explanations' needed: Affinity remains a haven for Chicago's Black queer community
2024-03-12
Back in 2007, Anna DeShawn came out while she was studying for her undergraduate degree. At around the same time, she searched online for "Black lesbians in Chicago." Her search led her to Affinity Community Services, ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Altercation, mpox research, Univ. of Fla., George Santos, tech battle
2024-03-08
Video footage uploaded to Facebook showed an altercation between a state trooper and two prominent Philadelphia LGBTQ+ leaders, the Washington Blade reported, republishing an article from Philadelphia Gay News. Celena ...


Gay News

Affinity Community Services' Latonya Maley announces departure
2024-03-06
Latonya Maley, executive director of Affinity Community Services, announced March 6 that she would be stepping down from her post. The announcement came from a statement with Affinity board members. Maley said that, "It has been ...


Gay News

LPAC celebrates historic wins for LGBTQ+ candidates in Super Tuesday primaries
2024-03-06
From a press release: Washington, DC—Today, LPAC,the nation's leading organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary candidates to public office, proudly announces the outstanding victories of 67% of endorsed candidates ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare
2024-03-05
Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

Without compromise: Holly Baggett explores lives of iconoclasts Margaret Anderson and Jane Heap
2024-03-04
Jane Heap (1883-1964) and Margaret Anderson (1886-1973), each of them a native Midwesterner, woman of letters and iconoclast, had a profound influence on literary culture in both America and Europe in the early 20th Century. Heap ...


Gay News

There she goes again: Author Alison Cochrun discusses writing journey
2024-02-27
By Carrie Maxwell When Alison Cochrun began writing her first queer romance novel in 2019, she had no idea it would change the course of her entire life. Cochrun, who spent 11 years as a high ...


Gay News

Brittney Griner's jersey retired at Baylor University
2024-02-20
On Feb. 18, Baylor University retired Brittney Griner's #42 jersey. Griner—a two-time AP national player of the year, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the NCAA women's career blocks leader (with 748)—attended a Bears home game ...


Gay News

Theater Review: Billy Elliot, The Musical
2024-02-19
Book and Lyrics: Lee Hall; Music: Elton John. At: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Tickets: 630-896-6666 or Paramountaurora.com; $28-$79. Runs through March 24 Billy Elliot: The Musical may nearly be two decades old, but ...


Gay News

Second Glance Productions hosts LGBTQupid Soiree
2024-02-16
In celebration of Valentine's Day, Chicago based film and media production company Second Glance hosted The LBGTQupid Soiree. The event, which was focused on spinning attitudes on this particular day, was presented at The iO ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.