Read, Listen, Watch

Staff Picks and Suggestions

Goodbye to a Boston native, Tasha Tudor

Book Jacket Tasha Tudor, born in Boston, died at age 92 a week ago last Thursday. Her lovely illustrations for children’s books seem like they are from the nineteenth century, so much so that I’m not sure I realized she was still living until I heard the news. I remember being transported by her pictures in a book of fairy tales (shown at left) when I was a little girl. Like Garth Williams and Beatrix Potter they are really grown-up art, art that shows a deep respect for children and their imaginations, art to transport children to some lofty, magical place, the opposite of everyday and mundane. Anyone else have any favorites?

Summer Reading–Rebecca

I think Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier typifies the perfect summer read.  It’s atmospheric and has one of the most famous opening lines: “Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”  It borrows liberally from past gothic plots (most obviously Jane Eyre) and also manages to make more over the top, an already pretty over the top genre.  It’s chock-full of romance, secrets, jealousy and revenge. 

 

This book is one I’d recommend checking out from Snell Library to read over the summer, and it’s also featured in the Summer Staff Picks exhibit on the first floor of the Library.

Summer Staff Picks

Looking for a good book to read or movie to watch over the summer?  Visit the exhibit showcases on the first floor of Snell Library—in the front of the Library and also in the display case by the first floor elevator.  Northeastern University Libraries staff members share their recommendations.  Browse their selections and settle on a first-rate title to enjoy this summer!  

Barbara Walters censors her own audio book

Book Jacket Time Magazine reports that, despite the Knopf promotional material (“Here, too, are her relationships with men — in and out of her marriages…”), the audio verson of the memoirs of prominent journalist and apparent roundheel Barbara Walters completely omits the two chapters from the printed book in which she discusses her extramarital affairs. Apparently the decision to omit was made by Walters herself. But was there any other reason anyone wanted to read–or listen–to this book? Caveat emptor, audio-book-buyers!

The Dower House

Book Jacket of Dower House I finished reading The Dower House by Annabel Davis-Goff, part of my TBR 2008 challenge.  Even though I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read as part of it, I’m starting to get a little irked by it-it feels a bit like I’ve turned reading into a to-do list.  (I’ve finished several more of the books, and I still need to review them). The Dower House is a beautifully descriptive book that focuses on Molly Hassard’s coming of age in the unique, privileged and fading world of the Anglo-Irish.  (In terms of this book, these are Protestant gentry of English heritage, but they live in Ireland, not Northern Ireland.)  It’s primarily set in the 1950’s and it’s Molly’s elegy for an unsustainable lifestyle.  It’s a world she loves, and is willing to devote her life to, even as it crumbles.  The Dower House is also a love story, and a record of eccentric, aristocratic family life, like the Mitfords. I actually found a good number of parallels between The Dower House and Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit of Love.  Molly is a sympathetic protagonist, and that kept me interested in this novel.  Davis-Goff is also a talented descriptive writer who creates a lush and glamorous setting.  It’s not a very long novel, and I’d recommend picking it up over summer vacation.