Book Review: 'The Bookseller of Kabul' by Åsne Seierstad

✰✰✰ Sultan Khan has done well for himself as a bookseller in Afghanistan. He’s faced some tough times under Taliban rule and even spent time in prison. However, now he’s done well enough that he can take on a second wife and family. In the meantime, the life of the rest of the Khan family revolves around the whims of Sultan. Those decisions are in turn based on what’s best for the book selling business. Not even Sultan’s mother is exempt. Author Åsne Seierstad spent time living with and observing the family for months to provide a firsthand account of life behind the scenes in Afghanistan.

The Bottom Line: This book is a challenging read due to the difficult topic of women’s issues. While it is a story of a bookseller, it is also a story about a family and how the women are treated by the patriarch. At times this is a heartwrenching read. Suggested reading for those in college and those interested in women’s rights. This book serves as a good reminder of how far we have come, but also as a reminder of how much more needs to be done.

Book Club Notes: This book brought up very strong feelings in our group. On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, the ratings for this book ranged between 2 - 4, with an average of 3.25. This was a difficult topic to read about. One of our members described it as a “brutal” read. There was concern for the treatment of some of the characters in this distant culture. While we understand that Afghanistan is very different culturally and some of the behavior is based on culture, the actions of “Sultan” were upsetting to some. Members would have liked some more information included on the history of the Taliban, as well as maps of the region, and some photos for reference. Also, it seemed to us that the story of the family ended rather abruptly. We did supplement our discussion with articles about current events; however, there is very little information about the family. Recommended for groups looking to tackle tough topics.

Details: The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad   Paperback published by Back Bay Books in 2004. 288 p. ISBN: 978-0316159418

Book Review: 'The Professor and the Madman' by Simon Winchester

✰✰✰½ This slim book is the tale of a scholar, a brilliant mental patient, and the ultimate English dictionary. Author Simon Winchester expertly weaves together the stories of all three to illustrate how events (some tragic) aligned just perfectly to result in the making of The Oxford English Dictionary. Although the language and the dictionary are always changing, this mammoth undertaking was accomplished without the help of the computers or technology we have available at our fingertips today. Additionally, the number of volunteer readers and the little slips of paper they created is truly astonishing. Even more astonishing is the fact that one of the most prolific readers was a mentally ill surgeon, who lived in an asylum at the time. This fascinating look at history, language, collaboration, and mental illness is a real page turner.

The Bottom Line: This engaging nonfiction book is a quick read for those interested in lexicography, especially The Oxford English Dictionary. Back in the day this was the go-to set for scholars, and for some of us, the OED is just an interesting read. (Don't laugh until you try it.) Winchester takes us on an intriguing journey to uncover what happened behind the scenes during the compiling of multiple volumes over 7 decades.  Enthusiastically recommended for readers interested in language, academia, mental health, and word history.

Book Club Notes: This was our first meeting of the year, and it was well attended. The book was well received too. I was able to bring the entire set of The Oxford English Dictionary to our meeting for people to pick up, handle, and look through. For some, it was the first time holding a volume of the OED! We had fun looking up words, including "elephant" which is mentioned in Winchester’s book. Overall, we very much enjoyed this book. It provided good insight into the making of the OED and life during the late 1800s. Winchester included lots of written detail, but we would have liked to see more photos included. We agreed there is a wealth of knowledge in this small book. We enjoyed learning about history and words. One drawback was the lack of an index.

The movie was well received too. Actors Sean Penn and Mel Gibson did an amazing job. However, we noted the introduction of a romantic theme between two characters that may or many not have occurred (probably not). That being said, this was one of the few times the movie rated (slightly) higher than the book. On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, we rated the movie a 4.1. Ratings for the book ranged from 3.5 - 4.5, with an average of 3.6. Participants were interested in reading the author’s other titles as well.

Looking for discussion questions? Check out ReadingGroupGuides to start.

And as a note of interest, I took the time to fold a “quire” (or my interpretation of one) as quires are mentioned in the book. It’s an interesting activity. Here are several links about making a either a traditional quire or a small book like the one I made: University of Nottingham, Dartmouth, and BlueSofaMedia. (I used the last one.)

Details: The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester. Hardcover published by HarperCollins Publishers in 1998. 242 p. ISBN: 0-06-017596-6 

Book Review: 'Happy St. Patrick's Day From the Crayons' by Drew Daywalt

✰✰✰ It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and Green Crayon is away. What are the other crayons supposed to do? After all, the color green is essential for the day. The other crayons decide to make the best of it as they combine colors and learn to shine in their own light. And just when they finish coloring, who should decide to return? Check out this festive, little book to find out.

The Bottom Line: With adorable drawings in gouache, ink, colored pencil, and crayon, it actually looks like this cute book was illustrated by the crayons. Kids will learn a little bit about blending colors to make others, and how to do their best to shine. [Note: There may be some questions about using black for the rainbow though. Perhaps, the author & illustrator had the CMYK perspective in mind, where all the colors make black? It’s important to note, in nature all the colors together make white light.] Nevertheless, little ones learning their colors may enjoy this seasonal read about teamwork.

Details: Happy St. Patrick’s Day From the Crayons written by Drew Daywalt & illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Picture book published by Philomel in 2024. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-593-62433-3 

Book Review: 'Absolution By Murder' by Peter Tremayne

✰✰✰✰ Sister Fidelma of Kildare has trained as an advocate of the courts. Her special skills are requested by the King of Northumbria to help decide the religious future of the people. However, before important decisions can be made, a leading Celtic speaker is found dead. Amid the chaos that ensues, Sister Fidelma must seek the truth and ferret out a killer before it happens again. With the help Brother Eadulf, Sister Fidelma deftly navigates the twists and turns of this skillfully written mystery. 

The Bottom Line: Over the years, I have read and enjoyed several of the short stories featuring Sister Fidelma. At a patron's insistence, I tracked down a copy of the first installment in the series, and I'm glad I did. Starting from the beginning has added a lot of information and enjoyment to my reading. Mystery fans interested in ancient Ireland and religious settings will find this enjoyable reading. There are currently 34 books in the series, and I am looking forward to reading book two. 

Details: Absolution by Murder (A Mystery of Ancient Ireland) (A Sister Fidelma Mystery) by Peter Tremayne. Paperback published by A Signet Book in 1997. 272 p. ISBN: 978-0-451-19299-8 

Book Review: Heart to Heart by George Shannon

✰✰✰½ Squirrel and mole are best friends, but when Squirrel forgets it is Valentine’s Day, he panics. Squirrel quickly gets to work making a valentine for Mole. However, Squirrel’s plans change when he can’t find his scissors. Thinking outside the box, Squirrel comes up with a plan to create something even better. Will Mole appreciate the effort or realize Squirrel has forgotten this special event?

The Bottom Line: Illustrated in watercolors featuring a wintry palette with splashes of pastels, this short and sweet tale of friendship is recommended for holiday reading. 

Details: Heart to Heart written by George Shannon & illustrated by Steve Björkman Picture book published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1995. 32 p. ISBN: 0-395-72773-1 

Book Review: 'Grumpy Groundhog' by Maureen Wright

✰✰✰½ It’s Groundhog Day, but the star of the show, the groundhog, is sleeping late! What’s a mayor to do? The mayor pleads, but to no avail. He must turn to the townspeople for help. Ideas pour in, and the groundhog is listening. Will the bribes work? Will the groundhog get up and do his job? It takes a lot to motivate this diva, and Groundhog Day is passing by. Only time will tell if our sleepy friend cooperates.

The Bottom Line: For a humorous take on the day we all anxiously wait for all winter long, check out this seasonal treat for storytime or bedtime reading with your preschooler. Whimsical watercolor illustrations in vibrant colors are engaging and funny. Don’t sleep late and miss out!

Details: Grumpy Groundhog written by Maureen Wright & illustrated by Amanda Haley. Picture book published by Two Lions in 2014. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1477847053

Book Review: 'Days at the Morisaki Bookshop' by Satoshi Yagisawa

✰✰✰✰ Twenty-five year old Takako is an office worker in Tokyo, who has secretly been dating a colleague. Having assumed they would get married, she is shocked to learn of his upcoming marriage to someone else in the office. Crushed and embarrassed, Takako quits her job and hides in bed all day. Soon she is unable to pay her rent and must make an agonizing decision: return home to Kyushu or move into the small, spare room above the Morisaki Bookshop run by her eccentric uncle. It's a decision that will change her life. Her gentle uncle gives her space in return for her watching the store once in a while. As the days, then months, go by, Takako surprises everyone, but especially herself. She becomes a voracious reader, starts to meet like-minded people in the Jimbocho book district, and may even be able to help her uncle, who has a dilemma of his own to solve.

The Bottom Line: This slim novel brought back fond memories of my trips to Japan many years ago. With an emphasis on family, compassion, and literature, this novel was a gentle read and made me nostalgic for simpler times. Highly recommended for fans of books about Japan and Japanese literature. This is a very quick and enjoyable read.

Details: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa & translated by Eric Ozawa. Paperback published by Harper Perennia in 2023. 160 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-327867-7