Christina

Bookseller: Christina
Title: Home

Comments:

Home is the newest haunting and original work from the grande dame of contemporary American fiction.

The post-war prosperity of the McCarthy era had an underbelly, and that is where this story is set: a world governed by anti-communist hysteria, racism, and a savage war abroad. Home is both a reflection on history and an exploration of the world we live in today. For example, racist violence, the struggles of disenfranchised veterans, and the quest for a new masculinity are themes which remain painfully relevant. And yet, with her signature lyrical prose, Morrison handles such cumbersome topics with so much craft and ease that the reader is swept along as if having a bittersweet dream about the past.

If you've never read Toni Morrison, this is an excellent book to start with: short, taut, and absorbing. If you're familiar with her canon than you won't need my recommendation (or Obama's for that matter) to bump this book to the top of your bedside stack.

Bookseller: Christina
Title: Role Models

Comments:
This book made me feel warm and fuzzy, as if I was best friends with John Waters and we were having a slumber party. I delighted in the notorious filmmaker's rare combination of bizarre quirk and sincere humility. His writing style is sharp, funny, and culturally insightful. For these reasons, what might appear to be a bunch of obscure name dropping reads more like a magical journey through Baltimore back alleys and backstage drag show gambling rings. I would recommend this book even if you've never seen any of Waters' movies, as long as you can appreciate a good dose of raunch and pop culture. Waters is so charming that his memoir will inspire you to put on some outrageous outfit, watch Pink Flamingos five times, hold a séance for Divine, and hitchhike across the country - no matter how old you are, because at 66 years old, John Waters is as free a spirit as ever.