Devil in the Details: Scenes of an Obsessive Girlhood by Jennifer Traig
Intended Audience: Adults
In this painful and humorous memoir, Jennifer Traig provides the reader with a first hand account of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and how it impacts both an individual and her family. Traig, the child of a religiously mixed marriage (Reformed Jewish father and Catholic mother) decides at an early age that she is an Orthodox Jew.
Despite the fact that her family is nonpracticing or perhaps in reaction, her efforts toward piety become a major facet of her OCD. Scrupulosity is a term used to describe OCD expressed by religious rituals and Traig's accounts illustrate this excellently. The reader is given an education in the history of scrupulosity and how hard it is to treat. Traig also suffered from other compulsions, including hair pulling and eating disorders.
Although at times somewhat overwhelming, Traig infuses the narrative with a sense of the absurd. Her parents' ability to remain balanced seems a miracle. The story ends on a positive note with Traig facing her anxieties and working toward a more normal life. This book is recommended for anyone who is interested in mental illness.
The Kewanee Public Library has one copy of Devil in the Details in Adult Biography.
Reviewed by Jill Gray
Kewanee Public Library
Information Services
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Title: Just Listen
Author: Sarah Dessen
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
In Just Listen, Annabel and her family look perfect from the outside but underneath are isolated and unhappy. Annabel herself tries to get along with everyone by presenting an agreeable facade and when she is terribly wronged keeps it to herself. Her sisters and parents, all involved in their own problems fail to notice Annabel's decline. Ultimately, the heroine in this story must, with the help of an unusual new acquaintance help herself. This riveting tale by popular Young Adult author, Dessen shows Annabel's growth towards honesty and self knowledge.
This book is intended for a teen audience but will also appeal to adults, particularly parents of teens. It could serve as a source of interpersonal discussions on a variety of topics, such as depression, eating disorders, date rape and peer relationships. The relationships between the sisters in this book is especially well done and poignant. Although the book deals with some weighty issues, the resolution of the story is satisfying.
One copy is available in the Young Adult room of the Kewanee Public Library.
Reviewed by Jill Gray
Kewanee Public Library
Information Services
Author: Sarah Dessen
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
In Just Listen, Annabel and her family look perfect from the outside but underneath are isolated and unhappy. Annabel herself tries to get along with everyone by presenting an agreeable facade and when she is terribly wronged keeps it to herself. Her sisters and parents, all involved in their own problems fail to notice Annabel's decline. Ultimately, the heroine in this story must, with the help of an unusual new acquaintance help herself. This riveting tale by popular Young Adult author, Dessen shows Annabel's growth towards honesty and self knowledge.
This book is intended for a teen audience but will also appeal to adults, particularly parents of teens. It could serve as a source of interpersonal discussions on a variety of topics, such as depression, eating disorders, date rape and peer relationships. The relationships between the sisters in this book is especially well done and poignant. Although the book deals with some weighty issues, the resolution of the story is satisfying.
One copy is available in the Young Adult room of the Kewanee Public Library.
Reviewed by Jill Gray
Kewanee Public Library
Information Services
Saturday, November 04, 2006
The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott
Title: The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott
Author: Jill Scott
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
Jill Scott is best known for her Grammy winning, Neo-Soul Album, Who is Jill Scott? which launched her career as a recording artist by going platinum. Her book The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours gives her fans and anyone unfamiliar with her music an alternate glimpse at this talented and sensuous young artist. Her poems, some dating back to her middle school years, exquisitely capture the life of a modern African-American woman, her romance, friendships and religion. Scott’s language is real life but rich with sounds and images.
In this book Scott honors famous poets (Nikki Giovanni and Emily Dickinson) as well as some lesser known. For anyone who thinks that poetry is boring, I challenge them to read one of Scott’s poems. You may raise your eyebrows at some of the themes she pursues but will never think of poetry in the same way again.
A copy of The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott is available in the new nonfiction section (lower level) of the Kewanee Public Library
Reviewed by Jill Gray, Kewanee Public Library, Information Services
Author: Jill Scott
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
Jill Scott is best known for her Grammy winning, Neo-Soul Album, Who is Jill Scott? which launched her career as a recording artist by going platinum. Her book The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours gives her fans and anyone unfamiliar with her music an alternate glimpse at this talented and sensuous young artist. Her poems, some dating back to her middle school years, exquisitely capture the life of a modern African-American woman, her romance, friendships and religion. Scott’s language is real life but rich with sounds and images.
In this book Scott honors famous poets (Nikki Giovanni and Emily Dickinson) as well as some lesser known. For anyone who thinks that poetry is boring, I challenge them to read one of Scott’s poems. You may raise your eyebrows at some of the themes she pursues but will never think of poetry in the same way again.
A copy of The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott is available in the new nonfiction section (lower level) of the Kewanee Public Library
Reviewed by Jill Gray, Kewanee Public Library, Information Services
Small Bites by Jennifer Joyce
Small Bites by Jennifer Joyce
If you’re an adventurous cook, and you’d like to impress some special guests or have some fun in the kitchen, take a look at Small Bites. Author/chef Jennifer Joyce specializes in creating elegant dishes that feature ingredients from all over the world. Hints for advance preparation, party decorations and beverages accompany recipes for such delights as Coconut Shrimp, Smoky Black Bean Dip, Glass Noodle Salad with Black Pepper Chicken and Chocolate Frangelico Pudding.
My first thought on spying the colorful cover of this book was, “fast snack ideas.” A closer look, though, suggests that this book is not mostly about yummy things that you’ll throw together quickly when the mood strikes. There are a few pages of speedy-preparation nibbles, dips and salads; but many of the recipes you’ll find here require some advance planning. Some call for items you may not keep on hand (fresh mozzarella, scallops, Thai curry paste) and most will take some time to prepare.
In keeping with the Small Bites theme, photos show the most delicate servings arrayed in tiny bowls or on undersized plates. Despite this suggestion of “just a little,” though, I think I could happily make a whole meal out of many of Joyce’s selections. The book provides a helpful list of food web sites at the end, so that lack of an ingredient won’t stop you from giving these intriguing recipes a try.
Gail Hintze
Joyce, Jennifer. Small Bites: tapas, sushi, mezze, antipasti, and other finger foods. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 2005.
If you’re an adventurous cook, and you’d like to impress some special guests or have some fun in the kitchen, take a look at Small Bites. Author/chef Jennifer Joyce specializes in creating elegant dishes that feature ingredients from all over the world. Hints for advance preparation, party decorations and beverages accompany recipes for such delights as Coconut Shrimp, Smoky Black Bean Dip, Glass Noodle Salad with Black Pepper Chicken and Chocolate Frangelico Pudding.
My first thought on spying the colorful cover of this book was, “fast snack ideas.” A closer look, though, suggests that this book is not mostly about yummy things that you’ll throw together quickly when the mood strikes. There are a few pages of speedy-preparation nibbles, dips and salads; but many of the recipes you’ll find here require some advance planning. Some call for items you may not keep on hand (fresh mozzarella, scallops, Thai curry paste) and most will take some time to prepare.
In keeping with the Small Bites theme, photos show the most delicate servings arrayed in tiny bowls or on undersized plates. Despite this suggestion of “just a little,” though, I think I could happily make a whole meal out of many of Joyce’s selections. The book provides a helpful list of food web sites at the end, so that lack of an ingredient won’t stop you from giving these intriguing recipes a try.
Gail Hintze
Joyce, Jennifer. Small Bites: tapas, sushi, mezze, antipasti, and other finger foods. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 2005.
Birdmen, Batmen and Skyflyers
Book Review: Birdmen, Batmen and Skyflyers
By Michael Abrams
Audience: Young Adult and up
When most of us think of flying, we think of riding in airplanes. A few imaginative people have tried a very different approach, though: wings attached to an individual who would then hurl himself from a precipice or tall building, or jump from an airplane. It sounds like a recipe for disaster, and for many people it was.
Who were these people? How and why did they pursue their wild dreams? What happened to them? Author Michael Abrams tells their stories, and amazing tales they are. Read about John Damian, who made himself wings with bird feathers and jumped from Stirling Castle in 1507:
“Beating the air with all his might, he soared through the sky and headed south for many miles before gliding across the channel and…no, no, my mistake. It was the ground below that he headed for…”
Frenchman Leo Valentin and American Clem Sohn were among those who had better luck, for a while at least. Perhaps most astounding, Abrams relates that thanks to modern materials and engineering, gliding through the air with a pair of wings attached has become a relatively popular sport. To call it a safe sport might still be pushing it a bit, but you can decide for yourself. Read all about it in Birdmen, Batmen and Skyflyers. Find a copy in the New Books section of the Young Adult Room on the lower level of the library.
Gail Hintze
Young Adult and Information Services
By Michael Abrams
Audience: Young Adult and up
When most of us think of flying, we think of riding in airplanes. A few imaginative people have tried a very different approach, though: wings attached to an individual who would then hurl himself from a precipice or tall building, or jump from an airplane. It sounds like a recipe for disaster, and for many people it was.
Who were these people? How and why did they pursue their wild dreams? What happened to them? Author Michael Abrams tells their stories, and amazing tales they are. Read about John Damian, who made himself wings with bird feathers and jumped from Stirling Castle in 1507:
“Beating the air with all his might, he soared through the sky and headed south for many miles before gliding across the channel and…no, no, my mistake. It was the ground below that he headed for…”
Frenchman Leo Valentin and American Clem Sohn were among those who had better luck, for a while at least. Perhaps most astounding, Abrams relates that thanks to modern materials and engineering, gliding through the air with a pair of wings attached has become a relatively popular sport. To call it a safe sport might still be pushing it a bit, but you can decide for yourself. Read all about it in Birdmen, Batmen and Skyflyers. Find a copy in the New Books section of the Young Adult Room on the lower level of the library.
Gail Hintze
Young Adult and Information Services
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